Scabious 'Imperial Mix' Seeds

If you can't choose just one colour, 'Imperial Mix' gives you them all. This tall, vigorous variety produces an endless supply of pincushion flowers in a delicious range of shades: lush black-cherry, soft lavender, salmon-pink, icy white, and royal purple. Each flower head is studded with white pins (stamens), giving them their classic "pincushion" look.

Bred specifically for the cut flower market, 'Imperial' strains have longer, stronger stems than wild varieties. They dance on the breeze, adding height, movement, and a subtle honey scent to the garden from mid-summer right through to the first frosts.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Imperial Mix'

We love this plant because it is the ultimate "cut-and-come-again" flower. The more you pick, the more it blooms. A single packet of seeds will provide you with enough flowers to fill vases in every room of your house for months.

It is also, without doubt, one of the best plants for butterflies in the UK. The flat, open flower heads act as perfect landing pads, and the nectar is easily accessible. On a sunny day, the flower heads will be covered in Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, and bees.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Annual?

Scabious is a Hardy Annual (sometimes a short-lived perennial in warm spots).

It flowers in its first year from seed.
The Strategy: You can sow in Autumn for larger, earlier flowering plants (overwintering them in a cold frame is safest for this variety), or sow in Spring for a reliable summer display.
Top Tip: Don't be afraid to cut! If you leave the flowers on the plant, they will turn into seed heads and the plant will stop blooming. Keep cutting for the vase to keep the plant productive.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Scabious seeds are easy to handle but dislike heavy, wet soil.

🌱 Germination:
Sow indoors in spring (Feb-April) or direct sow in April/May. Surface sow onto moist compost and **cover very lightly** with vermiculite. Keep warm (18-21°C). Germination takes 10-14 days.

Where to Sow:
They need **full sun**. They thrive in neutral to alkaline (chalky) soil that drains well. If you have acid soil, add some garden lime. If you have heavy clay, grow them in raised beds or containers to prevent root rot.

Care While Growing:
These are tall plants (90cm). In an exposed garden, they will need support. A simple framework of netting or bamboo canes placed early in the season will keep the stems straight for cutting. Deadhead faded blooms immediately.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features.

My Recommended Garden Companions

Since 'Imperial Mix' is multicoloured, pair it with neutral or soft-textured plants to prevent the border from looking messy:

• ☁️ Ammi Majus (Queen Anne's Lace): The perfect neutraliser. The flat, white lacy heads of Ammi provide a calm background that allows the pinks, purples, and reds of the Scabious mix to shine without clashing.
• 💙 Nigella 'Miss Jekyll Blue': Texture harmony. Both plants have a wild, cottage garden feel. The soft blue mist of the Nigella complements the pastel tones in the Scabious mix beautifully.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow in spring for summer flowers, or autumn for a head-start next year.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)