Scabiosa Pingpong

Scabiosa ‘Pingpong’ delights with pale blue summer flowers that offer little hint of the real show to come — its striking, silvery, ball-shaped seed heads, framed by maroon and green bracts. These unique seed heads make fantastic cut flowers and dry beautifully for year-round display.

🌸 Flowering: June to August, then seed heads lasting well into autumn

📏 Height: to 60cm

🌿Annual

SOW
From March to May, sow in trays or modules under cover, or directly once it’s warm enough. Cover lightly with vermiculite or fine compost. Be patient—Scabiosa stellata can take 4 weeks or more to germinate.

You can also sow in late summer or early autumn and overwinter plants in a cold frame or sheltered spot for earlier blooms the following year.

GROW
Harden off and plant out after all risk of frost has passed. For a natural drift, plant 15–20cm apart; in a cutting garden, space in rows about 30cm apart. They like a sunny position with well-drained soil.

ENJOY
Light blue blooms in summer give way to spectacular seed heads that steal the show — perfect for cutting fresh or drying for lasting interest.

WILDLIFE

The light blue flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators, providing a valuable nectar source in early summer. The seed heads aren’t just ornamental — they may also offer shelter or interest for garden insects later in the season.

SUITS

• Wildlife-friendly gardens
• Cutting gardens (fresh and dried)
• Gravel or drought-tolerant planting
• Sunny borders or raised beds
• Informal and cottage-style planting