Scabiosa Butterfly Blue

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SEE HOW YOUR TREE ARRIVES

Butterfly Blue Scabiosa is one of the longest-blooming perennials you can grow, producing delicate lavender-blue pincushion flowers from late spring until frost. Its compact size, continuous blooms, and ability to attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators make it a favorite for borders, pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, and containers. Easy to grow and low maintenance, it's an excellent choice for adding months of color to the landscape.

Botanical name: Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue'
Bloom time: Late spring through frost
Deciduous perennial
Grown in the USA

SUNLIGHT
Prefers full sun.

WATER
Water deeply when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry. During establishment, this is typically once or twice per week. Once established, water only during prolonged dry periods. Watering frequency varies depending on climate, soil type, rainfall, and establishment phase.

IDEAL CLIMATE
Hardy in USDA Zones 3–9. Butterfly Blue Scabiosa thrives in sunny gardens with well-draining soil and performs beautifully in borders, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, and containers.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

The Scabiosa Butterfly Blue, scientifically known as Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue', is a long-blooming perennial loved for its delicate lavender-blue pincushion flowers and exceptional ability to attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Blooming from late spring through frost, this compact plant produces an abundance of flowers above tidy gray-green foliage, making it an excellent choice for borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, and containers.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Moderate-growing perennial. Typically reaches approximately 12–18 inches tall and 12–18 inches wide at maturity.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Water deeply when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry. During establishment, this is typically once or twice per week, keeping the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Once established, Butterfly Blue Scabiosa is fairly drought tolerant and only requires occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. Watering frequency will vary depending on climate, soil type, rainfall, sunlight exposure, and establishment phase.

Butterfly Blue Scabiosa grows best in full sun, receiving at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for the heaviest flowering. In very hot climates, light afternoon shade is tolerated.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

PRUNING
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming from late spring through frost. Cut the plant back in late fall or early spring to remove old foliage and promote healthy new growth.

FERTILIZING
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring if desired to encourage healthy growth and flowering. Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish.

WINTER PROTECTION
Butterfly Blue Scabiosa is cold hardy throughout its growing range. Apply a light layer of mulch after the ground freezes in colder climates to help protect the roots through winter.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Plant Butterfly Blue Scabiosa in a location that receives full sun and has well-draining soil. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the rootball and no deeper than the rootball itself. Position the crown level with the surrounding soil, backfill with native soil, water thoroughly, and apply a thin layer of mulch while keeping it away from the base of the plant.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 3-9

Scabiosa Butterfly Blue thrives across a wide range of climates and performs best in full sun with well-draining soil. Hardy in USDA Zones 3–9, it tolerates both cold winters and warm summers, making it an excellent perennial for gardens throughout much of the United States.

Important: USDA Hardiness Zones only measure a plant's cold tolerance. They do not account for heat tolerance, humidity, rainfall, or other climate factors. Always consider your local growing conditions in addition to your USDA Zone when selecting plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does Scabiosa Butterfly Blue get?

Butterfly Blue Scabiosa typically grows 12–18 inches tall and 12–18 inches wide, forming a compact, mounded plant covered in delicate lavender-blue flowers throughout the growing season.

How fast does Scabiosa Butterfly Blue grow?

Butterfly Blue Scabiosa is a moderate-growing perennial that typically reaches its mature size within one growing season, growing approximately 12–18 inches tall and wide under favorable conditions.

Where is the best place to plant Scabiosa Butterfly Blue?

Plant Butterfly Blue Scabiosa in full sun with well-draining soil. It's an excellent choice for borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, edging, and containers.

How far apart should you plant Scabiosa Butterfly Blue?

Plant Butterfly Blue Scabiosa approximately 12–18 inches apart to provide room for mature growth and good air circulation.

How long does Butterfly Blue Scabiosa bloom?

Butterfly Blue Scabiosa is one of the longest-blooming perennials available, flowering from late spring until frost. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming throughout the season.

Can Butterfly Blue Scabiosa grow in containers?

Yes. Its compact size makes Butterfly Blue Scabiosa an excellent choice for containers, patio planters, and window boxes, provided the container has good drainage and receives plenty of sunlight.

Is Butterfly Blue Scabiosa drought tolerant?

Yes. Once established, Butterfly Blue Scabiosa is fairly drought tolerant and only requires occasional deep watering during extended dry periods, though it performs best with consistent moisture in well-draining soil.

Will deer and rabbits eat Butterfly Blue Scabiosa?

Butterfly Blue Scabiosa is considered deer and rabbit resistant. While no plant is completely deer-proof, its foliage is generally less appealing than many other flowering perennials.

What plants pair well with Butterfly Blue Scabiosa?

Butterfly Blue Scabiosa pairs beautifully with lavender, salvia, catmint, coneflowers, yarrow, coreopsis, ornamental grasses, and roses. Its soft lavender-blue flowers complement a wide range of colors while attracting butterflies and other pollinators to the garden.

Does Butterfly Blue Scabiosa attract butterflies and bees?

Yes. Butterfly Blue Scabiosa is highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators. Its nectar-rich blooms provide a reliable food source from late spring through frost.

More Details

*SHIPPING DETAILS

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

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Learn more about our Shipping Policy

1 YEAR GUARANTEE

At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

SHIPPING TO CALIFORNIA? HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

What's inside?

Your order from Simply Trees is more than just a box of plants—it’s a carefully curated experience. Here’s what’s inside:

We hand-select our plants for premium-quality from top growers nationwide
Each plant is then cleaned, prepped, and pruned to remove any blemishes and encourage new growth
Expertly treated and inspected for preventative measure
The pot is wrapped in a durable plastic bag and secured with a zip tie; house plants get extra protection with a recyclable nursery bag. Some Jumbo plants may be carefully removed from their nursery pot and burlapped to protect the rootball and ensure safe transit.
Your plant is strapped into our durable double-pane boxes, secured in place with a heavy-duty zip tie to ensure safe transit
A thank you card with a QR code leads to our guide on welcoming your new plants home

We take pride in making sure every detail is just right, so you can enjoy your new greenery from the moment it arrives.

SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING, QUALITY CARE

We've perfected the art of packaging and shipping plants and trees! Unlike most online retailers, we handle everything in-house—no third-party fulfillment. Our experienced team carefully packages your plants to ensure they arrive from our farm to your door in perfect condition.