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Herbaceous Perennial

Cephalaria alpina

A perennial to 1.8m tall with divided, toothed and hairy leaves and strong, upright, branching stems bearing pale yellow-cream flowerheads with pincushion-like centres in summer

Synonyms

Scabiosa alpina L.

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Cephalaria are annuals or perennials with pinnately divided leaves and scabious-like flower-heads
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Alps

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Needs staking in exposed gardens; see staking perennials for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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