A rare plant suitable only for West Coast gardens, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is native to the fynbos of South Africa and a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigelia, Centranthus, and valerian. The plant forms a rosette of woolly, obovate to oblong basal leaves that are up to 8″ long, and have ruffled, coarsely toothed margins. From early spring into early summer, erect, woody, branched stems up to 4′ tall carry lavender blue to white flowerheads that are 2″ across and are attractive to butterflies, bees and other pollinators. The plants self seed but become untidy as they mature and are most suitable for informal gardens. The flowers are excellent in the vase. The genus name, Scabiosa, comes from the Latin word scabies meaning itch and refers to the leaves that were thought to cure scurvy. The specific epithet, africana, refers to the area where the plant is native.
Type: Evergreen herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Lavender blue flowerheads from early spring into early summer
Size: 3-4′ H 18″ W
Light: Full sun to semi-shade
Soil: Fertile, moderately moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 8-11
Care: Cut back to just above the basal rosette after flowering
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Seed, division, basal cuttings
Companion Plants: Plants of the fynbos such as protea, heaths, vygies
Outstanding Selections: None available
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Karen Meyers