Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Butterfly Blue

Scabiosa Anthemifolia

Design with this plant

Overview

Butterfly Blue (Scabiosa anthemifolia) is a charming perennial known for its pincushion-like, lavender-blue flowers that bloom from late spring to fall. With a compact growth habit reaching 12-18 inches in height and width, it's ideal for borders or as a pollinator attractor. Thriving in full sun and well-draining soil, it requires minimal maintenance. The plants’ drought tolerance and deer resistance make it a practical choice for diverse landscapes. Zone 3-9.

Sun FullWater Extra in Summer, Very LowZones 5–10Type Ground cover, PerennialClimate Temperate
Butterfly Blue (Scabiosa Anthemifolia) — The flowers perch atop slender stems; or in containers where its delicate blossoms can be admired up close

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Extra in Summer, Very Low
USDA zones
5–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Ground cover, Perennial
Family
Dipsacaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (101)

Butterfly Blue (Scabiosa Anthemifolia) — with the overall plant height reaching between 12 to 18 inches and a spread of about 12 inches, image 83
Butterfly Blue (Scabiosa Anthemifolia) — Butterfly Blue (Scabiosa anthemifolia) is a charming perennial known for its pincushion-like; it's ideal, image 49
Butterfly Blue (Scabiosa Anthemifolia) — it's ideal for borders or as a pollinator attractor; butterfly Blue (Scabiosa anthemifolia) is a charming, image 76
Butterfly Blue (Scabiosa Anthemifolia) — ground cover / perennial with lavender and red blooms; ideal for USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9
Butterfly Blue (Scabiosa Anthemifolia) — requiring deadheading to promote continuous blooming and occasional division to maintain its vigor; ground cover /
Photographs by 3 contributors

Related plants

Crimson Scabious (Knautia Macedonica) — this hardy plant thrives in Zones 5-9

Perennial

Crimson Scabious

Knautia Macedonica

FullUSDA 2–10
Pin-Cushion Flower (Scabiosa Ochroleuca) — They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, providing an alluring contrast against green foliage, image 95

Perennial

Pin-Cushion Flower

Scabiosa Ochroleuca

FullUSDA 2–10
Pink Mist Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa 'Pink Mist') — They require regular watering but are somewhat drought tolerant once established

Perennial

Pink Mist Pincushion Flower

Scabiosa 'Pink Mist'

FullUSDA 5–10
Scabiosa (Scabiosa Caucasica) — and division every 3-4 years will maintain their vigor; they are not only deer-resistant but also attract a host of, image 92

Perennial

Scabiosa

Scabiosa Caucasica

FullUSDA 2–10
Abiqua Drinking Gourd Hosta (Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd') — resembling a drinking gourd

Ground cover

Abiqua Drinking Gourd Hosta

Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd'

Deep ShadeUSDA 3–9
African Daisy (Arctotis Hybrids) — The African Daisy (Arctotis hybrids) brings vivid color to any garden

Ground cover

African Daisy

Arctotis Hybrids

FullUSDA 8–10