Knautia
Field scabious, Macedonian scabious
An ornamental plant, planted March to May or September, or sown March to May.
In September: cut back the Knautia and mulch it. It can be planted now.
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Knautia, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Plant a pot-grown Knautia. | usual | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Cut the Knautia back hard after flowering. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none |
| Cut back the Knautia. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Mulch the Knautia. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover March to May, 1.5mm deep. Moderate sources: RHS and Thompson & Morgan.
Plant a pot-grown Knautia March to May, and September, 45 to 60cm apart. Moderate source: Jacksons Nurseries.
Cut the Knautia back hard after flowering
Gardeners call this the Hampton hack.
Almost to the ground, straight after its first flowers. Fresh leaves follow, and often a second flush of flowers.
Usually June to July. Moderate source: RHS.
Cut back the Knautia
Cut it down to the ground, then mulch with well-rotted manure or compost to hold moisture.
Usually September to November. Moderate source: Sarah Raven.
Mulch the Knautia
Use well-rotted manure or compost to help the soil hold moisture.
Usually September to November. Moderate source: Sarah Raven.
What the source words mean
Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Knautia” comes from.