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Succisa pratensis (Devil's bit scabious)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Succisa pratensis
Other names
Devil's bit scabious, Scabiosa succisa, Blue ball, Blue bonnets, Blue buttons, Blue caps, Blue kiss, Blue scabious, Curl daddy, Fore-bit, Fore-bitten-more, Ofbit, Ofbitten
Genus
Succisa Succisa
Species
S. pratensis - S. pratensis is a rosette-forming, rhizomatous, deciduous perennial with ovate to elliptic, grey-green leaves and branched stems bearing pincushion-like, violet flower heads from midsummer into autumn.
Succisa pratensis is: Deciduous
Habit
Rosette
Flower
Violet in Summer; Violet in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Slugs Slugs
Diseases
Generally disease free. Resistant to cucumber mosaic virus.
General care
Pruning
Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering.
Propagation
Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Basal cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Succisa pratensis (Devil's bit scabious) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in poor to moderately fertile, peaty, moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Suitable for a bog garden.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Succisa pratensis
Other names
Devil's bit scabious, Scabiosa succisa, Blue ball, Blue bonnets, Blue buttons, Blue caps, Blue kiss, Blue scabious, Curl daddy, Fore-bit, Fore-bitten-more, Ofbit, Ofbitten
Genus
Succisa Succisa
Species
S. pratensis - S. pratensis is a rosette-forming, rhizomatous, deciduous perennial with ovate to elliptic, grey-green leaves and branched stems bearing pincushion-like, violet flower heads from midsummer into autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Rosette
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Colour
Flower
Violet in Summer; Violet in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease free. Resistant to cucumber mosaic virus.
General care
Pruning
Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering.
Propagation
Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Basal cuttings, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Succisa pratensis (Devil's bit scabious) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in poor to moderately fertile, peaty, moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Suitable for a bog garden.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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