Succisa pratensis
"Devil's-bit scabious"
Orders placed before 1 March 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
UK orders over £50
Free shipping
UK orders under £50
£4.99
Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99
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Description
With its enchanting violet-blue flowers and a history steeped in folklore, Succisa pratensis, or devil's-bit scabious, is a wildflower that adds a touch of magic to any meadow or garden. This herbaceous perennial blooms from June to October, producing tight clusters of delicate, four-lobed flowers atop slender stems up to a metre tall. Its lance-shaped leaves form a rosette at the base, giving the plant a subtle yet striking elegance. Unlike its scabious relatives, Succisa pratensis favours damper ground, making it perfect for softening the edges of ponds, streams, or wilder corners of your landscape.
Legend has it, the devil bit off Succisa's root in a fit of rage—either out of envy for its healing powers or as part of a devilishly petty tantrum! Whether you're drawn to its historical mystique or its ecological value (pollinators love it!), Succisa pratensis is a wonderful choice for creating a haven for wildlife. Its rich hues blend beautifully with other meadow flowers, while its upright habit provides texture and movement. Als known as Scabiosa succisa, this plant is as much a conversation starter as it is a garden gem. Plant it, and let a little folklore bloom in your outdoor space.
The name devil's-bit scabious comes from a peculiar legend—its short, blackened root is said to have been bitten off by the devil himself, frustrated by the plant's miraculous healing powers.
Key features
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Comes back every year
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Attractive to wildlife
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Loved by pollinators
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Thrives well in full sun
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In peat-free compost
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Low maintenance
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Fully hardy
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Rodent resistant
Specs & details
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Botanical name
Succisa pratensis
syn. Scabiosa succisa -
Flower colour
Blue, violet
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Plant size
1
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Established height
50-70cm
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Established spread
30-50cm
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Plant spacing
9 plants per m2
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Leaf colour
Green
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Habit
Upright
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Life cycle
Perennial
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Hardiness
Fully hardy
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Years to establish
1st year
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Sunlight
Full sun
Partial shade
Dappled shade -
Position
Sheltered
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Suitable for
Borders
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Coastal gardens
Rockery
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens -
Soil acidity
Any
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Soil moisture
Free draining
Damp -
Soil type
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Stony
Multipurpose compost -
Growing skill
Easy to grow
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Scented
No
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Pollinator-friendly
Yes
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Mouse resistant
Yes
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Rabbit resistant
Yes
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Deer resistant
Yes
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Toxicity
Skin/eyes irritant
Plant calendar
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
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Soak your Succisa pratensis roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting.
Plant your "Devil's-bit scabious" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost in spring and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors.
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed.
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
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Orders placed before 1 March 2025
You can expect your order in Feb/March 2025Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in April 2025Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
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