Knautia

Commonly known as the Macedonian Scabious, Knautia bears fabulous pincushion flowers on slender, floaty stems.

Flowering over a long period from July right through to October, Knautia macedonica is well loved for its gentle shades of pink, rose and crimson. This hardy perennial is often found in cottage gardens where its swaying stems create an informal display. Try planting it in wildlife areas where pollinating insects will love its nectar rich blooms.

Knautia is a prolific self-seeder, and as a result we recommend sowing seed directly either in Spring or Autumn.

Choose a position in full sun on well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 0.3cm in sweeping drills spaced 10cm apart and lightly cover seed. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 30cm apart. Thin autumn sown seeds before they cease growth for the winter.

For best results, grow Knautia in full sun in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. Dead-head, or cut the flowers for your vases, regularly to ensure a constant supply of blooms.

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As a perennial variety Knautia can be propagated by division, and clumps should be divided every three-to four years in early spring