Plug Connection
Scabiosa Fama
Don't confuse these for the more tangly annual scabiosa. These are the long stemmed, large flowered perennial types. They flower the first year, and continue to bloom with continued harvest. Hardy to zone 5, I have overwintered them in the tunnel in Vermont in zone 3 with no additional cover or heat. Much more productive in year 2 and 3.
Order 8 or more weeks in advance of desired ship date.
Grown in a 128 cell tray, billed as 125
Photo courtesy of Caleb Whitfield, Firstfruit Gardens
Order Minimums & Tray Sizes
The minimum Plug Connection order is four total trays (each tray can be a different variety)
A full shipping box contains FOUR 128 cell trays or a combination of 128 and 288 cell trays.
*If you are only ordering 288 cell trays, then FIVE trays will fill a box.
Growing Guides
Click here to access our comprehensive growing guides containing everything you need to know about this crop.
| Common Name | Scabiosa |
| Genus |
Scabiosa
|
| Species |
Hybrid of S. atropurpurea and S. caucasica
|
| Family |
Caprifoliaceae
|
| Life Cycle |
Tender perennial, usually treated as annual.
|
| Format | Plugs |
| Plug Care |
Transplant within 2 weeks of arrival or bump up into a larger cell until you can transplant.
|
| Netting / Staking |
1 layer of support netting.
|
| Temperature Range | 32 to 80F |
| Spacing |
2 rows per bed, 12" between plants. These get very large.
|
| Soil Preference |
Well drained soil of medium fertility.
|
| Day Length |
Facultative long day.
|
| Pinching |
Yes. Plugs will likely be pinched on arrival. If not, pinch out the tip once growth resumes after transplant.
|
| When to Plant |
Fall or spring, when soil is cool (below 55F). They prefer cool frost free conditions.
|
| Harvesting |
These are extremely productive, easily producing 20-30 stems per plant. Harvest when 1/3 of the florets are open, or when the first ring of florets has opened around the outside of the flower.
|
| Post Harvest Care |
A holding solution will increase vase life.
|
| Diseases / Insects |
No major issues in most settings.
|
| Bailey's Notes |
Scoop Scabiosa have revolutionized the use of Scabiosa in the cut flower world. They are larger and longer lasting than their predecessors. The main complaint is that they are TOO productive. Keep spent flowers cut off to encourage more bloom production. In hot summer locations, the plants may stop production for a couple months and then regrow as autumn temperatures settle in. Cut back the plant to a few inches and allow to regrow.
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| Resources | Danziger Scabiosa Growing Guidelines & Updates (downloads as .pdf) |