Knautia macedonica Mars Midget

Knautia macedonica 'Mars Midget', also known as Macedonian scabious, blooms all summer long. Its flowers are gathered in heads that form small, tousled, purple-red pearls. It is a medium-sized perennial, with a compact yet airy appearance, emerging from a dark green basal rosette. It will quickly establish itself in the garden. Simple and hardy, it has the charm of wild plants. Ideal in a flower meadow or in a rustic bed. Plant in full sun or partial shade. It is drought-resistant once established.

Knautia macedonica 'Mars Midget' belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. It is a variety of K. macedonica, native to the central Balkans to Romania. In the wild, it often grows in limestone soils, in meadows or on the edge of woodlands. 'Mars Midget' is much more compact than the type. This perennial forms a basal rosette of dentate, dark green, evergreen leaves, from which emerge numerous flowering stems that can reach 70cm (28in) in height. The clump will occupy about 40cm (16in) of ground. Flowering takes place from June to September. An established plant produces around 100 heads each summer. The highly branched and flexible stems are equipped with a few simple, pinnatifid leaves, and bear at their tips heads of small purple-red flowers, with a diameter of 1.5 to 3cm (1in). The flowering is followed by the formation of highly decorative seed heads. Like all scabious plants, it is melliferous and nectariferous. It is a short-lived perennial, but it self-seeds abundantly in light soil.

Knautia macedonica 'Mars Bridget' works wonders in a flower meadow, in beds of perennials with more sophisticated flowers, and in herbaceous borders. Its small flowers seem to float in the air. Of medium size, it will benefit from being planted at the edge of a bed. Combine it with cosmos, 'Canon Went' linaria, annual poppies, and perennial grasses that it does not fear competition from. Another idea for pairing is with Aster turbinellus or Coreopsis 'Moonbeam'. Its delicate flowers are well-suited for country-style bouquets.