Cephalaria gigantea
Also known as 'The Yellow Scabiosa', these amazing plants can grow to 9 feet tall or more. Where to use such a specimen? I would recommend planting it beside a balcony so that the flowers can be enjoyed from above. This would also make support of the flowers easy. Butterflies love these! Grow in rich moist soil for strong stems and the best results. Poor soil will result in weak stems and not very many flowers. This plant hails from Northern Turkey, growing in nature beside streams and in wet meadows.
Cephalaria alpina
This is rare and hard to find, but I have seen the seeds for this offered in JL Hudsons Ethnobotanical Catalog of Seeds (Send $1 US to JL Hudson, Star Route 2, Box 337, La Honda, California, 94020 for your own copy). It promises to be 3 to 5 feet tall, and tolerant of more adverse condition in terms of soil moisture and cold. It is native to the Alps, from France to Austria, growing in rocky meadows at up to 1800 meters. Do you know how hardy this makes this plant? VERY, as long as excellent winter drainage and good snow cover requirements are met.
Great Pincushioney Links
The Perennial Plant of the Year 2000
The Perennial Plant Association's page on this years chosen specimen, the lovely 'Butterfly Blue'. This page is full of interesting tidbits on the history of the hybrid, as well as some GREAT ideas on combining the plants with other perennials and grasses.
Enabling Gardener Reviews Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue'
Diana Pederson sounds like she's got every reason to doubt that this plant is so great! On the upside, Diana has started a discussion at this site for Scabiosa growing tips. Check there for all kinds of details from experienced scabiosa gardeners from all over!
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