Field Scabious (Cab an ghasáin)

This is a very attractive native wildflower, historically thought to treat scabies, hence the name, lat. ‘scabere’ meaning ‘to scratch’. It is a common sight in dry grassy places throughout the country, blooming from July to late September. It is a tall perennial, with hairy leaved base rosettes from which branched, wiry stems with purple spots rise to up to a metre in height, topped off with beautiful lilac-blue flowers. The outer flowers are larger than the inner ones and the stamens add to the beauty of the plant by standing upright, making the flower look like a blue pin-cushion. Bee plant.

Site: Tolerates some exposure
Soil: Well-drained, prefers alkaline/neutral pHs
Position: Full sun
Season of Interest: Tall wiry flower stalks, blue pin-cushion flowers July-late Sept, bee plant
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 3-5ft (1-1.5m) Spread: 1.5ft (0.45m)