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Knautia arvensis (Field scabious)

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Beginner
skill rating

1 hour care
per year

1m
Max height

0.4m
Max spread

2-5 years
To maturity

Plant details

Botanical name

Knautia arvensis

Other names

Field scabious, Blue buttons

Genus

Knautia Knautia

Species

K. arvensis - K. arvensis is a clump-forming, deeply tap-rooted herbaceous perennial with erect to lax, bristly stems, hairy pinnate or simple, dull green leaves and, from midsummer to early autumn, flat-topped, lilac-blue flowerheads with softly-bristly bracts.

Knautia arvensis is: Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Spreading

Flower

Lilac, Pale-blue in Summer

Foliage

Green in Summer

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids Aphids

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Pruning

Remove faded flower stems.

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings, Division, Seed

Where to grow

Knautia arvensis (Field scabious) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Prairie planting, Wildlife

Cultivation

Plant in a moderately fertile, well-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral, Acid

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

Hardiness

Hardy (H4)

Companion plants

We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.

Botanical name

Knautia arvensis

Other names

Field scabious, Blue buttons

Genus

Knautia Knautia

Species

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Spreading

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Colour

Flower

Lilac, Pale-blue in Summer

Foliage

Green in Summer

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Pruning

Remove faded flower stems.

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings, Division, Seed

Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Knautia arvensis (Field scabious) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Prairie planting, Wildlife

Cultivation

Plant in a moderately fertile, well-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral, Acid

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

Hardiness

Hardy (H4)

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	This plant likes...	Garden match
Soil types:	Chalky, Loamy, Sandy	Tell us...
Soil drainage:	Well-drained	Tell us...
Soil pH:	Alkaline, Neutral, Acid	Tell us...
Light:	Full Sun	Tell us...
Aspect:	South, West	Tell us...
Exposure:	Exposed, Sheltered	Tell us...
Hardiness:	Hardy (H4)	Tell us...

DISCUSS THIS PLANT

Knautia arvensis

Scabious is clump-forming and has spear-shaped basal leaves that are deeply cut and lobed. The nectar from the flowers attracts numerous insects including bees and many species of butterflies, making… read more

There are 4 active discussions about Knautia arvensis (Field scabious)

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Knautia arvensis (Field scabious)

Comment on a listing

Comment on a listing

Plant supplier links

Plant supplier links

Botanical name

Other names

Genus

Species

Habit

Flower

Foliage

Watch out for

Specific pests

Diseases

General care

Pruning

Propagation methods

Where to grow

Suggested uses

Cultivation

Soil type

Soil drainage

Soil pH

Light

Aspect

Exposure

Hardiness

Companion plants

Botanical name

Other names

Genus

Species

Foliage

Habit

Create your free Shoot garden

Colour

Flower

Foliage

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Diseases

General care

Pruning

Propagation methods

Monthly care advice

Get access to monthly care advice

Where to grow

Suggested uses

Cultivation

Soil type

Soil drainage

Soil pH

Light

Aspect

Exposure

Hardiness

Caption

DISCUSS THIS PLANT

Knautia arvensis

GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT

ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT

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