Scabieusa atropurpurea Oxford Blue Seeds

Sweet scabious Oxford Blue or Scabiosa atropupurea is a herbaceous perennial that is grown as an annual in our climates. This wildflower brings a light, airy feel to beds and its flowers in the form of small deep blue pompoms, repeat bloom from July to October, attracting many foraging insects. Its long stems and long-lasting flowers make it possible to make charming bouquets and its charm is inseparable from the beauty of monastic gardens.

All sweet scabious are discreet and slender looking plants. Their base consists of a clump of lanceolate leaves, more or less cut depending on the species, from which emerge pubescent, long, slender stems (from 50 cm to 90 cm). Approaching the tips of the stems, the leaves lose their stalks, become more cut, becoming smaller and smaller as they reach the flower head. The flower head is always globular (4 to 5 cm) with protruding stamens that look as if they have been pricked into this pompom, which is why it is called "Pincushion Flower". However, its shape also varies with the species: it can be very rounded, dense and bristly, or more flattened, with silky, crumpled petals, as in the Oxford Blue variety. Sweet scabious plants are best planted in small groups, scattered among the grasses or larger flowers, adding colour to beds like a shower of confetti. They prefer sunny locations that promote blooming and will make of with different types of soil, sometimes even chalky soil, provided it is moist enough and well-drained. Pick them to encourage repeat blooming or leave them to dry to create a winter setting in the garden. They can self-seed.

The soft colour of this variety will blend well with cornflower, cosmos and delphiniums and bring a little antique feel to the garden. This easy-to-grow heavy bloomer takes an active role in the life of the garden by reacting to the slightest breeze and providing an important food source for butterflies and other foraging insects.