Knautia macedonica Red Knight

Knautia macedonica 'Red Knight' is a medium-sized perennial, with a compact yet light appearance, emerging from a dark green basal rosette. In summer, it bears flower heads that form small purple-red tousled beads. It will quickly establish itself in the garden. Simple and hardy, it has retained the charm of wild plants. Ideal in a meadow or in flower beds. It likes dry soil, in the sun or partial shade. It shows resistance to drought once established. 

Knautia macedonica 'Red Knight' belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. It is a variety of Knautia macedonica, native to the centre of the Balkans up to Romania. In nature, it often grows in limestone soils, in meadows or at the edge of woodlands. 'Red Knight' is much more compact than the typical variety. This perennial forms a basal rosette of toothed, dark green, evergreen leaves, from which numerous flowering stems can reach 70cm (28in) in height. The clump will occupy about 40cm (16in) of soil. The flowering appears in August-September. An established plant produces about one hundred heads each summer. The highly branched and flexible stems are equipped with a few simple, pinnatifid leaves. At their tips, they bear small purple-red flower heads, with a diameter of 1.5 to 3cm (1in). The flowering is followed by the formation of very decorative heads. Like all scabious, it is a nectar-rich plant. It is a short-lived perennial, but it self-seeds abundantly in light soil.

Knautia macedonica 'Red Knight' works wonders in a flower meadow, in beds of perennials with more sophisticated flowers, or in herbaceous borders. Its small flowers seem to be suspended in the air. Of medium size, it will benefit from being planted on the edge of a bed. Combine it with non-competitive plants like cosmos, Linaria 'Canon Went', annual poppies, and perennial grasses. You can also plant it with Aster turbinellus or Coreopsis 'Moonbeam'. Its delicate flowers lend themselves well to the composition of field bouquets.