Field scabious Knautia arvensis
Field scabious (Knautia arvensis) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Caprifoliaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia (dry meadows, chalk grassland). It grows 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Field scabious in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Field scabious at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Caprifoliaceae |
| Mature height | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe and western Asia (dry meadows, chalk grassland) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Field scabious toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Field scabious
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Field scabious in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (30 plants)
Questions about Field scabious
- How far apart should I plant Field scabious?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Field scabious need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Field scabious need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Field scabious?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Field scabious flower?
- From about June for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Field scabious poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Field scabious?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Field scabious. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A key meadow nectar plant; food of the scabious mining bee.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Valerian Valeriana officinalis
- Haskap (honeyberry) Lonicera caerulea
- Red valerian Centranthus ruber
- Common honeysuckle (woodbine) Lonicera periclymenum
- Weigela Weigela florida
- Twinflower Linnaea borealis
- Ominaeshi (golden lace, Patrinia) Patrinia scabiosifolia