Pruning macedonian scabious
Advice for October in the Netherlands
Macedonian scabious has loose branched stems above a low leafy clump. Cut faded stems only when you want to tidy; retain an attractive green base. Months are a guide for the Netherlands and Belgium; follow actual growth and flowering.
Macedonian scabious — October
Check this first
Retain any green basal foliage of Knautia macedonica. Dry flower stalks can remain until spring; do not remove a living rosette or still-flowering branch when tidying.
Pay attention to this
- Trace a flower stalk to its branch point before cutting.
- Retain green basal leaves, including after a mild winter.
- Do not cut the whole still-flowering clump at once.
Frequently asked questions
- Must Knautia be cut after every flower?
- No. You can tidy individual old flowers or let the stalks mature. Cut a whole stalk only once its branches have finished.
- Can the leaves stay green in winter?
- Yes, the species can be partly evergreen. Spare those leaves when clearing dry flower stalks.
- Is Knautia the same plant as small scabious?
- No. Knautia macedonica is different from Scabiosa columbaria, although their flower heads look similar.