Cestrian's Garden
Knautia macedonia
Genus: Knautia.
Species: Knautia macedonica.
In most cases, gardening experts advocate dead-heading to prolong summer flowering. However, in the case of Knautia macedonica this is both unnecessary and unwise. The seed heads actually enhance the look of it and provide food for birds. In common with all scabious, this is an important wildlife plant, providing nectar for hoverflies, bees and butterflies.Knautia needs a sunny position to thrive. It seems to enjoy both acid and alkaline soils (unlike Scabiosa caucasica, which must have lime to make anything of itself for any length of time, and which sulks and dies in my neutral clay). Decent drainage is essential but add plenty of humus on thin, dry soils to retain moisture. Potted plants are best bought when fairly compact. Remember to allow plenty of room for expansion; knautias may reach a metre Knautia needs a sunny position to thrive. It seems to enjoy both acid and alkaline soils (unlike Scabiosa caucasica, which must have lime to make anything of itself for any length of time, and which sulks and dies in my neutral clay). Decent drainage is essential but add plenty of humus on thin, dry soils to retain moisture. Potted plants are best bought when fairly compact.
