Also known as mourningbride, and mournful widow, this annual is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigelia, Centranthus, and valerian. It is native to the Mediterranean area including southern Europe, western Asia and Northern Africa, but as an introduced species has become an invasive weed in California and South Australia. The plants grow 2-3′ tall and have erect, branched stems and lanceolate-ovate, coarsely toothed basal leaves that become pinnately compound as they ascend the stems. From late spring through summer, sweetly fragrant, double flowers are borne singly on long flower stems. The flowers are purple to crimson with whitish overlapping bracts at the base. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds and are good in in fresh or dried arrangements. The plant is a good choice for cottage, rock, butterfly, wildlife, and cuttings gardens. 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, atropurpurea, comes from the Latin words ater meaning black, and purpureus meaning purple, referring to the dark purple flowers.
Type: Annual or short lived perennial
Bloom: Fragrant, purple to crimson, pincushion like flowers from late spring through summer
Size: 2-3′ H 2′ W
Light: Full sun with part afternoon shade in the South
Soil: Fertile, consistently moist, well-drained, alkaline
Hardiness: Plants do best in cool climates and do not tolerate heat and humidity well
Care: Deadhead to prolong bloom
Pests and Diseases: Generally healthy but susceptible to damage by aphids, mites, white flies, powdery mildew and root rot.
Propagation: Seed
Companion Plants: Peach-leaved bellflower, lady’s mantle, daylily ‘Happy Returns’
Outstanding Selections:
‘Ace of Spades’ (very fragrant; up to 3′ tall)
‘Beaujolais Bonnets’ (pink flowers)
‘Black Knight’
Dwarf Double Mix (15″ tall)
Photo Credit:Wikipedia
Karen Meyers