Cephalaria gigantea
(Giant Scabious )
Family - Caprifoliaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - Caucasus, Siberia
Year of Introduction - 1759
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H7
Height - up to 2.5m
Width - 1m
Location - The Cool Garden
Description: A tall herbaceous Perennial with an upright, airy habit. Mid to dark green leaves are deeply Divided with pinnatisect lobing. Each leaf is Divided into lanceolate leaflets with coarsely toothed margins. Pincushion-like flower heads are composed of a central group of small pale green florets surrounded by a layer of larger, showy florets in a soft shade of primrose yellow. The Blooms are held singly on upright stems and are produced from early into late summer. Attractive to pollinating insects and excellent for use as cut flowers.
Synonyms include - Cephalaria caucasica, Cephalaria tatarica
Flower:
Pincushion-like flowerheads are composed of a central cluster of small pale green florets surrounded by an outer layer of much larger, showy florets that are a shade of primrose yellow. The flower heads are held singly on upright, airy stems and are produced repeatedly from June through August.
Flower colour: Yellow, green
Flower shape: Pincushion-like flower heads held singly
Flowering time: June, July, August
Foliage:
Mid to dark green leaves are deeply Divided with pinnatisect lobing. The leaves have lanceolate leaflets with Dentate margins. The leaves are held in opposite pairs on the very tall, upright stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Divided, pinnatisect leaves with lanceolate leaflets
Propagation:
Division, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.