(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

Packet: 40 seeds

Seeds are mysterious. For reasons not yet clear to us, we have consistently struggled to produce seed for this variety with germination rates higher than the mid 60's%. This years crop came in at 63%. We love the variety and rather than not selling it we have raised the packet size from 25 seeds to 40 to compensate for the low germination. Sow accordingly!

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Growing Info

SOWING:

Sow indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost.

Transplant out after last frost.

Direct sow after last frost.

Note: Germination can be tricky. Patience!

PLANTING DEPTH:

Cover seeds very lightly

SPACING:

8-12"

EMERGENCE:

10-12 days @ soil temp 65-70F

LIGHT:

Full sun

FERTILITY:

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.

Scabiosa, 'Sternkugel'