Scabiosa atropurpurea - Pink - Sweet Scabious (Seeds)

20 open pollinated seeds from our gardens. 
 
Scabiosa atropurpurea are a hardy short-lived perennial but many people treat it as annual.  It grows to approx 90cm, prefers full sun and grows in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil.
 
Scabiosa atropurpurea is an excellent plant for the meadow garden and cottage gardens. The flowers will bring beneficial insects like bees and butterflies into your garden. 
 
Flowers and seeds heads are ideal for floral arrangements.  
 
You need to cut these flowers when they are almost fully open but you can also use the buds which are a feature on their own.  Spilt the steams and remove the foliage.  Place flowers in cold water that reaches almost to the flower heads, condition overnight.  Flower will last up to 7 days.  Flowers and immature seeds pods and be dried and used in floral arrangments.  
 
I direct sowed my seeds in autumn and spring.  However, if you wish to grow yours in pots, sow shallowly in trays filled with good, moist but freely draining compost. Keeping the tray well watered but not wet, place in a warm, semi-shaded spot and keep temperatures around 20°C until they have germinated. When large enough to handle, pot on into small pots and grow on at cooler temperatures. Gradually harden off before planting outside at 30 - 45cm intervals.