Macedonian Scabious Knautia macedonica Melton pastels

Water

The Macedonian scabious should be watered regularly, especially during dry periods, with deep soakings to encourage deep root development. Generally, it's recommended to provide about 1 inch of water per week, whether from rainfall or manual watering. If using gallons, this would translate to about 0.6 gallons for every square foot per week. During the hottest parts of the summer, you may need to water twice a week, reducing frequency as temperatures cool. Always check soil moisture before watering; the top inch of the soil should be dry to the touch.

Light

Macedonian scabious thrives in full sun, where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot is an area with unobstructed exposure to sunshine, which encourages healthy growth and abundant flowering. While it can tolerate some light shade, too much shade can lead to weak growth and fewer blooms.

Temperature

Macedonian scabious performs best in temperate conditions and can tolerate a range of temperatures. It's cold-hardy in zones 5 through 9, meaning it can withstand minimum winter temperatures of -20 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature range for this perennial during the growing season is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can survive summer highs up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pruning

Pruning Macedonian scabious helps to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage continuous blooming. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to stimulate new blooms. Cut back the plant by about one-third in late summer to rejuvenate and produce a fresh flush of flowers. Prune the foliage down to the ground in late fall or early winter after the plant goes dormant.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Knautia macedonica, commonly known as Macedonian scabious, thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 6.0 to 7.0. The best soil mix can be a blend of garden soil, compost, and coarse sand or perlite to enhance drainage. Regular garden soil with organic matter will often suffice, as long as it does not retain excessive water.

Repotting

Macedonian scabious does not typically require frequent repotting, as it is often grown as a hardy perennial outdoors. However, when grown in containers, it should be repotted every 2-3 years or when it has outgrown its current pot, using a soil mix that provides good drainage.

Humidity & Misting

Macedonian scabious is not particularly humidity sensitive and is adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels typically found in outdoor environments. It will do well with the average ambient humidity without the need for any special adjustments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide full sun and well-drained soil mix.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, and space 12" apart.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

Knautia macedonica, commonly known as Macedonian scabious, begins its life cycle with seed germination, typically occurring in the spring when soil temperatures warm up. The seedlings develop into rosettes of leaves at the ground level before sending up flowering stems. Throughout the summer, these stems produce numerous round flower heads with small florets, ranging in color from pale pinks to deep magentas. After pollination, often by bees and butterflies, the flowers develop into seed heads, which disperse the seeds for the next generation of plants. In the autumn, as temperatures drop, the plant dies back to the ground, where it survives the winter as a dormant root system. With the return of favorable conditions in the following spring, the cycle resumes with new growth from the existing root system or from the newly dispersed seeds.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to early summer

• The most popular method of propagating the Knautia macedonica, commonly known as Macedonian scabious, is through seed. To propagate by seed, sow them directly into the garden in spring or start them indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost. When starting seeds indoors, use a seed-starting mix and place the seeds on the soil surface, as they need light to germinate. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Seeds typically germinate within two to three weeks at a temperature of around 70°F (21°C). Once seedlings are strong enough and the threat of frost has passed, they can be transplanted outdoors to a spot with full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.