Cephalaria leucantha Tweet

Genus: Cephalaria

Common Name: Giant Scabious

Latin Name: Cephalaria leucantha

Variety: Cephalaria leucantha

Family Name: Dipsaceae

Plant Description:

An excellent wild-flower perennial which comes from meadowlands and mountain pastures. It is a good plant to put at the back of the herbaceous border where its pale yellow, sometimes white flowers will spill over in mid-summer. The many stems bear the fluffy scabious-like flowers in profusion and will give a misty display also suited for the wild flower or cottage garden. Excellent for cut flowers this plant will give a long display of colour throughout the summer.

Latin Name Explanation:

Cephalaria - From the Greek, kephale - a head, which refers to the flowers of this plant being in a round head. leucantha - referred to the off-white flowers.

Preferred Aspect: Partial Shade (sun)

Height: 1.5m

Spread: 0.70m

Form: Herbaceous

Hardiness: Fully Frost Hardy - withstand temperature down to -15C

Grown Height: 1.5m

Grown Spread: 0.70m

Leaf Type: Herbaceous

Likes Soil Type:

Any reasonably fertile soil
Chalky
Chalky Loam
Clay
Clay Loam
Loam
Peaty
Sandy
Sandy Loam

Does not thrive in Soil Type:

Hardiness: Fully Frost Hardy - withstand temperature down to -15C

Preferred Aspect: Partial Shade (sun)

Primary Flower Colour: Yellow Pale

Primary Foliage Colour: Green

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Period of Interest

Planting Period

Pruning Period

Element of Interest:

Adds height and interest to the garden
Attracts Butterflies
Flower
Flowers for Cutting
Moves in the Wind
Repeat Flowering
Shape - Adds Character to Your Garden
Shape & Colour


Likes PH: Slightly Acid - Neutral - Slightly Alkaline

Does not thrive in PH:

Moisture Level: Moist well drained soil

Growth Rate: Moderate vigorous branching

After Care Required:


Work Involved: Easy to Grow

Fragrance: Not Scented

Suitable for Small Garden:

Does it need staking?:

Plant for RHS Identification Course:

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Specific Planting:

In an established border, simply plant in a clear area, allowing room for the plant to grow. Dig a hole a little larger than the pot or root ball and place the plant into the hole, so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill in the remaining gaps, firming the soil as you go. To finish, water in well, and keep watering regularly until the plant has established. For planting in soil that has poor fertility, dig the area intended for planting over to the depth of a garden fork, removing any weeds as you go. Work in some garden compost or organic matter, and follow the instructions above for planting. To help the plant retain moisture, add a mulch to the surface around the plant.

Specific Care:

Before the plant begins to grow in late spring make sure that the previous years growth has been removed. You can do this either in spring or autumn. Little attention is needed for the rest of the growing season, other than being staked before its grows too high, and when it dies down to ground level with the first frosts it is ready to be cut back.

Specific Feeding:

Covering the border with mulch in the winter months will provide enough food for these plants. This will improve the soil structure and bolster its nutrient levels, which will feed the plants in the coming growing season. If the soil is especially poor, then adding a fertiliser such as Growmore or a liquid Seaweed feed, early in the season will help maintain good plant health. On poor soils adding a fast release granular feed will provide a quick fix early in the season, and although good on it's own, is better used alongside an application of organic matter. Another option is to apply blood, fish and bone early in the season, as this is a good all round balanced feed.

Propagation

Division
From Seed

Cephalaria gigantea Cephalaria radiata

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