Devil's Bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) is a hardy wildflower that brings delicate purple-blue pincushion blooms to summer and fall gardens from June through November. Native to European meadows, this cottage garden favorite grows 36 inches tall and thrives in full sun with moderate water in zones 5 and warmer. Deer won't touch it, and pollinators flock to its distinctive flower heads, making it both a practical and beautiful addition to any garden.
1
Full Sun
Moderate
5-5
36in H x 24in W
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Moderate
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This is a true pollinator magnet with flowers that bloom reliably for six months straight, from early summer deep into fall. The distinctive pincushion-like blooms attract butterflies and bees while remaining completely deer-proof, so you can plant it confidently in mixed borders without worry. Hardy, unfussy, and content in moderately moist soil with a slightly acidic pH, it rewards you with minimal fuss and months of nectar-rich color.
Devil's Bit Scabious is grown primarily as an ornamental flower in perennial borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator-focused plantings. Its long blooming season from summer through fall makes it valuable in cut flower arrangements, and its nectar-rich flowers support butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects throughout the growing season.
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Sow seeds indoors in pots and lightly cover with vermiculite. Keep soil at 65-70°F for 2-4 weeks. Germination occurs over a long period, so don't discard pots too quickly. If no sprouts appear after 4 weeks, cover containers with plastic and refrigerate for an additional 4 weeks, then return to warmth to trigger germination.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings outdoors once frost danger has passed. Space plants 1 inch apart in their final positions, or thin to wider spacing if you prefer larger individual plants. Ensure soil pH is between 5.0 and 6.5 before planting.
Direct sow in early spring, or try winter sowing by placing seeds in pots in late winter shade, lightly covered with clean sand and protected by a wire screen to exclude mice and voles. Check soil moisture regularly during germination, which may take 14-60 days.
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