- How often should scabious be watered?
- When can scabious be transplanted well?
- When and how are scabious cut?
- Are scabious susceptible to diseases and pests?
- Should the scabious be fertilized?
- How are scabious overwintered?
The scabious is a perennial plant species that is represented in Central Europe with about 20 subspecies. The attractive flowers often catch the eye in natural flower meadows, but are also perfect for growing in your own garden.

How often should scabious be watered?
Similar to the ice plants, the various types of scabious tolerate certain dry phases better than prolonged waterlogging. However, the plants should be watered extensively, especially in severe dryness and heat and immediately after planting. However, this plant species does not particularly like loamy soils either, which is why heavy soils should be made more permeable with sand, gravel and compost.
When can scabious be transplanted well?
The best times for transplanting scabious are in spring and late autumn after the last flowers. If the plants do not bloom after a few years in the same location, then a division should be made as with the yarrow.
When and how are scabious cut?
Perennial types of scabious do not necessarily need to be pruned, as they grow the above-ground plant material every year anyway. However, pruning the plants back to just above ground level in the fall will encourage the establishment of overwintering buds. You should also remove wilted flower heads during the flowering period to encourage the formation of more flowers. In this way you also prevent the sometimes unwanted self-seeding of the scabious in the garden.
Are scabious susceptible to diseases and pests?
The various types of scabious are not particularly susceptible to diseases and pests. Their development can only be dangerous if the roots are waterlogged or if they get too close together with the rest of the vegetation in the garden.
Should the scabious be fertilized?
For example, the following fertilizer variants are suitable for fertilizing scabious:
- Organic Fertilizer
- mineral fertilizer
- Long-term perennial fertilizer
- compost
If the scabious are transplanted anyway, it is advisable to work loose compost into the substrate at the site. In the spring, sprinkle around 20 to 30 grams of long-term perennial fertilizer in the perennial bed to ensure an abundance of flowers.
How are scabious overwintered?
Most perennial scabious species are relatively hardy. A cover should only reduce the risk of frost in exposed locations, when growing in pots or in seasons with so-called frosts.
tips
Since the scabious usually blooms at the same time as the yarrow blooms, high-contrast mixtures of both plants are particularly popular in cottage gardens and natural gardens.