Scabiosa columbaria L.
Dove pincushions
Small scabious is a dainty native perennial, a more compact relative of field scabious, with rounded, lilac-blue pincushion heads carried on fine, wiry stems above a tidy rosette of leaves. The lower leaves are spoon-shaped while those higher up are more finely divided, giving the plant a light, delicate look that belies its toughness.
About
Small scabious is a dainty native perennial, a more compact relative of field scabious, with rounded, lilac-blue pincushion heads carried on fine, wiry stems above a tidy rosette of leaves. The lower leaves are spoon-shaped while those higher up are more finely divided, giving the plant a light, delicate look that belies its toughness.
It is a characteristic flower of chalk and limestone grassland, growing on dry, well-drained and nutrient-poor calcareous soils in full sun. Flowering through summer and often into early autumn, its nectar-rich heads are excellent for bees, butterflies and hoverflies, extending the foraging season on thin downland turf. Its modest size and long flowering make it well suited to chalk-grassland restoration, short-turf meadows and sunny, free-draining borders and rockeries.
Also known as
Lesser scabious · Morning Bride · Scabiosa · Small Scabious · Wild Scabiosa · pigeon's scabious · yellow scabious
Synonyms
Scabiosa alpicola · Scabiosa caerulea · Scabiosa columbaria alpicola · Scabiosa columbaria confusa · Scabiosa columbaria peduncularis · Scabiosa columbaria tenuipes · Scabiosa confusa · Scabiosa grisea · Scabiosa maritima · Scabiosa montana · Scabiosa tennipes · Scabiosa vogesiaca
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.