Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue'

Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue': Endless Blooms, Effortless Grace

Beloved for its nonstop bloom and delicate charm, Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue' produces a steady stream of lavender-blue, pincushion-like flowers from late spring until frost. Each bloom floats on slender stems above neat mounds of finely cut, grey-green foliage, creating a light and airy effect. Bees and butterflies adore its nectar-rich flowers, while gardeners appreciate its compact size, long flowering period, and gentle presence in sunny plantings. A perennial classic that earns its keep season after season.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 30–40 cm
• Spread: 30–45 cm
• Flower Colour: Lavender-blue
• Flowering Period: Late spring to fall
• Foliage: Finely cut, grey-green, low and tidy
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, average to sandy soils

Uses and Benefits: 'Butterfly Blue' excels at the front of sunny borders, in rock gardens, or as a soft filler in mixed containers. Its long bloom time and compact habit make it an excellent choice for low-maintenance colour and continuous pollinator support. Flowers are also ideal for cutting. This perennial performs best in open, well-drained locations where it can soak up the sun without competition from taller neighbours.

Companion Plants: Pair Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue' with the golden, threadleaf blooms of Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb', the arching, variegated blades of Carex 'Ice Dance', and the compact, fragrant spires of Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' for a sun-loving, textural trio that blends cool pastels with warmth and graceful form.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly in the first season, then only during extended dry periods. Deadhead spent blooms to promote continuous flowering. Cut back in early spring to refresh foliage. Divide every few years if clumps become woody or lose vigour.

History: A cultivar of Scabiosa columbaria, 'Butterfly Blue' gained international acclaim as the 2000 Perennial Plant of the Year™. It remains a staple in gardens across North America thanks to its lengthy bloom season and ease of care.

Final Thoughts: Light, lively, and long-flowering, Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue' is the kind of perennial that quietly transforms a garden—graceful, hardworking, and full of fluttering life all summer long.