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Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Chat Noir'
pincushion flower (syn. Scabiosa Black Cat)
A striking addition to any wildlife and sensory garden, this compact perennial, most commonly grown as an annual, dazzles with...
9cm pot
£7.49
£9.99
available to order from autumn
3 × 9cm pots
£17.24
£22.99
£5.75 each
available to order from autumn
6 × 9cm pots
£29.99
£39.99
£5.00 each
available to order from autumn
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Plant description
A striking addition to any wildlife and sensory garden, this compact perennial, most commonly grown as an annual, dazzles with its dark, velvety pincushion flowers that start as nearly black and reveal rich red highlights as they mature. 'Chat Noir' features a clump of grey-green leaves from which the long, wiry stems emerge, topped with pleasantly fragrant blooms that attract butterflies and bees throughout the growing season. While often considered short-lived, this plant has proven to be a reliable perennial providing it has some shelter from the worst of any winter cold or waterlogging, offering an unusual and vibrant twist to herbaceous or mixed borders, and cutting gardens where it pairs beautifully with more subdued plants and grasses.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun
Rate of growth
Average
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Fully hardy
How to care for Scabiosa atropurpurea Chat Noir:
Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny spot. Protect young plants from slug damage by using environmentally friendly slug pellets or beer traps. Regular deadheading is crucial to prolong flowering, while cutting back faded flower stems in autumn helps maintain plant health. Additionally, provide a light mulch to protect the roots over winter and ensure the plant has enough space
Please note:
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
