(Scabiosa stellata) AKA Paper Moons, Star Flowers. The flower of this Scabiosa species is a subtle beauty, a loose-ish affair of soft dusty blue outer petals with a cream flecked with pink ‘pincushion’ center. Then things take a turn for the wondrous. When the flowers yield to seedheads, the meaning of its name, German for ‘star-ball’, becomes abundantly clear. The seedheads appear as perfect papery spheres floating on long wiry stems, with the dimpled centers of each seed in the head revealing a perfect 5 pointed star. Indeed it is the seed head that this variety is best known for, and it is fantastic for adding a sculptural element of intrigue to arrangements. We love a single stem in a tiny vase or a dozen as a stand-alone bouquet. They are sure to draw appreciative comments. Essentially dry when harvested, they’ll last for months in a waterless vase. 95 days. UO
Average-high. Tolerant to most soil types but prefers well-drained and evenly moist soil.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Loved by pollinators!
Fresh flowers are lovely but the seed pods are what you're really after!
Cut when flowers are in bud stage or just opening and expect a vase life of a week. OR wait until the ornamental seed pods have developed (they should be light green and not shattering). Those will last indefinitely.
