Field scabious

Knautia arvensis

Field scabious is a perennial for mid-border, suited to full sun and clay, loam or chalk, flowering Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Where to use it in a border

At around 80 cm, it sits best through the middle of a border, between taller structure behind and edging in front. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 4a to 8b and rated H7 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of full sun, clay soil, chalk soil, pollinator-friendly plants.

Border Builder uses Field scabious's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Cowslipto edge in front
• Moss Phloxto edge in front
• Ragged Robinto edge in front
• Snake's Head Fritillaryto edge in front
• Wild Daffodilto edge in front
• Bee Balm 'Jacob Cline'for height behind it

Garden styles

Cottage garden Meadow Native Wildlife garden