Devil's-bit scabious
Succisa pratensis
Devil's-bit scabious is a perennial for mid-border, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay, loam or moist ground, flowering Aug, Sep, Oct.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 70 cm |
| Spread | 35 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 4a-8b, RHS H7 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | Not confirmed |
Where to use it in a border
At around 70 cm, it sits best through the middle of a border, between taller structure behind and edging in front. Give it about 35 cm of room to spread, roughly 3 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, wet soil, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Devil's-bit 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
- It copes with ground that stays wet, which most border plants will not.
- 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:
- Allegheny Monkeyflowerto edge in front
- American Spikenardfor height behind it
- Bee Balm 'Jacob Cline'for height behind it
- Betonyto edge in front
- Bird's-foot Trefoilto edge in front
- Blanket Flower 'Arizona Sun'to edge in front