Knautia macedonica - Growing Guide

K. macedonica is an excellent plant for an English cottage garden but it is equally suited to the herbaceous border or to a wild garden. Its flowers are especially attractive to bees and resemble those of some of the Scabiosa genus. Another name for K. macedonica is Scabiosa rumelica of gardens and both Knautia and several Scabiosa species come from the eastern Mediterranean where they grow in grassland or scrub.

These are clump forming perennials which normally keep a few rosettes of leaves over winter. They produce slender branched stems with deeply pinnately lobed leaves at the base and simple leaves up the stem. The flowering stems grow 24-30in tall and each stem has several long lasting purple-red flower heads which give the appearance of a pincushion.

K. macedonica is totally hardy and will grow in most soils including alkaline ones. The soil needs to be well drained but not necessarily improved. Siting in full sun ensures maximum flower production from July into September and removing old flower heads and stalks will help encourage more later flowers.

Propagation is straightforward from basal cuttings in the spring or larger clumps can be lifted and divided then.
 

• KNAUTIA macedonica