Scabious Mixed

Why I grow it
Scabious is one of my absolute favourite flowers, and the mixed version adds the fun of not quite knowing what you’re going to get. The flowers can range from white and soft pinks through deeper reds and purples to shades that are almost black.

I tuck scabious through my potager amongst the vegetables, where the long flower stems float above everything else. It means I can go out to harvest something for dinner and usually come back with flowers as well.

At a glance
Type: Flowering plant
Variety: Mixed
Growth: Upright and branching with long flower stems
Flowers: Mixed — from white and pink through deep burgundy and near-black shades
Good for: Potagers, cutting and pollinators
Inventory: 3 pots — approximately 3 plants per pot

In the garden
Tuck them amongst vegetables, herbs and other flowers or grow them through an informal border or cutting garden. They don’t need their own designated flower department — their airy stems are particularly lovely appearing amongst other plants.

And because these are grown from mixed seed, the flower colour is part of the surprise.

For cutting
Scabious makes a brilliant cut flower. Pick stems as the flowers open and keep cutting or deadheading to encourage the plants to produce more.

Care
Full sun and reasonably well-drained soil. Water while establishing and during prolonged dry periods. Regular picking and deadheading will help extend flowering.

What you’ll receive
One pot containing approximately three established Scabious Mixed plants. Flower colours will vary and can’t be selected in advance — that’s rather the point of this one.

The plants can be left together for a little group or gently separated when planting.

Plants naturally vary in size and shape and may be supplied in reused nursery pots or growing bags — perfectly useful plastic doesn’t need replacing simply because it doesn’t match.