Scabiosa columbaria - Pigeon's Scabious

Family:	Dipsacaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.75
Width:	0.75
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain, south and east from the Arctic circle to N. Africa, Siberia and W. Asia.

Scabiosa columbaria (Pigeon's Scabious) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.75m and a width of 0.75m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Pigeon's Scabious will flower in January to March. the seeds ripen from February to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, lepidoptera

Soil Information

Pigeon's Scabious will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Pigeon's Scabious prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Pigeon's Scabious should not be planted in shady areas.

Dry calcareous pastures, banks etc, to 600m[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

Prefers a neutral or alkaline soil and a sunny position[200]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1]. Grows well in a dry sunny meadow[200]. The flowers are a good nectar source for bees and lepidoptera, the plant is also a good food source for the caterpillars of many butterfly species[200]. This species name is sometimes treated as the group name for an aggregate of species[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Leaves[177]. No more details are given.

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seedlings are subject to damping off[1] so water with care and make sure to give adequate ventilation. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.