Black Cat: Scabiosa Atropurpurea

A plant for autumn

We are enjoying a wonderful warm autumn this years. The apples are clinging onto the trees, and the poppies are growing, but the frost will kill them, sadly.

That is the beauty of perennials. You know they will return the following year though, so look out for your poppies in May, and tread carefully when weeding next year.

Here’s a plant that will return year after year. The Scabiosa atropurpurea

Scabiosa atropurpurea “black cat” -Photograph by the author

For now, I have made you a short video to show you my “black cat” still thriving in November this year.

“Black cat” pink salvia, and Verbena bonariensis trailing over a statue – photograph is by the author

This plant can take a year to show the first flowers so be patient and find something for it to lean against. I have used an old shallow pot, where I grow my cuttings.

Black Cat (Scabiosa atropurpurea)

Tips: Cut right back at the end of November and cover with a mulch. Water regularly in dry weather.