Scabious Stellata 'Drumstick' Seeds
While most Scabious are grown for their colourful petals, Scabiosa stellata is famous for what happens after the flower fades. It starts with modest, pale blue flowers, but as the petals drop, the head transforms into a magnificent, perfectly spherical, papery globe.
Often called "Drumstick Scabious" or "Paper Moon," these geometric seed heads start pale green and age to a warm, sandy bronze. Each "globe" is made up of tiny, trumpet-shaped bracts marked with a five-pointed star. They are stiff, sturdy, and last forever when dried, making them the absolute superstar of the winter vase.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Scabious Stellata is a Hardy Annual.
It completes its life cycle in one season. It is grown primarily for the late summer harvest of seed heads.
The Transformation: Don't be disappointed by the flowers! They are small and pale blue. The magic happens when they drop; the head expands into the famous 3-4cm ball over a couple of weeks.
Top Tip: Be patient! Don't cut them too early. Wait until the globe is fully formed, firm, and papery to the touch before harvesting, otherwise they might shrivel.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
These are easy to grow but need sun to develop strong stems.
Germination:
Sow indoors in April or directly outdoors in May. Sow seeds 5mm deep in moist compost. Keep warm (18-20°C). Germination takes 10-14 days.
Where to Sow:
They demand full sun. They need good light to ripen the seed heads. They thrive in well-drained, alkaline (chalky) soil but will grow in any average garden soil.
Care While Growing:
The stems can get tall (60cm+). In a windy garden, give them a little support (brushwood or netting) so the heavy seed heads don't snap the stems.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Scabiosa stellata |
| Common Name | Drumstick Scabious / Paper Moon |
| Hardiness | H3 (Hardy Annual) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 60cm - 75cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 30cm apart |
| Great for | 🍂 Dried Arrangements 🏗️ Architectural Interest 🐝 Pollinators ✂️ Cut Flowers |
| Seed Count | Approx. 40 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The bronze globes of Scabiosa Stellata look best when paired with colourful dried flowers:
- 🔥 Strawflower (Swiss Giants): Colour vs. Shape. The vibrant reds and oranges of the Strawflowers provide a pop of colour that sits perfectly against the sandy bronze globes of the Scabious.
- 💙 Nigella (Love-in-a-mist): The Pod Squad. Nigella produces large, balloon-like seed pods. Growing these alongside Scabiosa Stellata gives you two amazing architectural shapes for your winter vase.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in spring. Harvest seed heads late summer/autumn.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Seeds | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Harvest Heads | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ |
⚠️ Drying Tip
Do not hang them upside down too early! Let the stems drink in water for a few days after cutting, then hang them. This ensures the necks stay straight and the heads don't droop as they dry.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This is a high-quality selection. Scabiosa stellata is a staple of the professional cut flower industry for its unique, long-lasting seed heads.
- Regular price
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£2.30 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£2.30
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