Bloom Color

Interesting Notes

The Perennial Plant Association has awarded the title Perennial Plant of the Year 2000 to Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue'. Forty years ago Farplants grower, David Tristram, admired this exceptional plant in a garden in Ireland. Mr. Tristram obtained cuttings and grew the unique Scabiosa in his Irish garden for 15 years before moving to England where he grew the beloved plant in his Sussex garden until the early 1980s. Marketing cooperatively, Farplants and the English nursery, Blakedown, selected Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' for their first venture in promoting plants. Indeed, 'Butterfly Blue' has become an international winner. The outstanding attributes of Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' are sure to place this underused perennial in the top group of favorite long-blooming perennials. Perennial Plant Association

Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' is one of the blooming champions of the perennial garden. A non-stop bloomer in a lovely shade of lavender blue, this plant is a petite but valuable addition to the sunny garden. Needs good drainage to survive winters here in Zone 6. ©1996 Lynn Purse The Creative Gardener

Growing and Maintenance Tips

S. columbaria prefers loamy, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Intolerant of wet soils. Propagate by seed, division or cuttings in early summer. Deadhead to prolong blooming season. Excellent as a perennial border, rock and cutting gardens or in mass plantings.