Knautia Macedonia, also known as Knautia, is a close relative of the scabiosa. It produces purplish-red flowers that are shaped like domes in your garden. It’s so close to Scabiosa, in fact, that it used to be called Scabiosa Rumelica. Knautia, like Scabiosas, is resistant to deer!
Knautia is known for its long-lasting blooming period, which starts in early summer. It continues into the fall and lasts until the first frost. The flowers of the Knautia plant are not just beautiful; they also attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These flowers are also worthy of a prominent place in bouquets.
Knautia Macedonica thrives in full-sun areas. Water regularly until it is established. This perennial is an excellent choice for beginners. This plant is easy to grow, has few pests or diseases, and is a good choice. Although they live shorter than other perennials do, they are perfect for amateurs who want to create a cottage garden in full sun. They also self-seed easily.
In extremely hot climates, it can stop flowering during peak summer heat. If you remove the spent flowers outside of this period, you will encourage a second bloom. Leave the last flower round standing at the end of the growing season as a winter snack for birds that love these seeds. This makes an attractive and natural bird feeder.
All About Knautia Plants
Knautia comes in many varieties and species. Knautia arvensis is the most popular and available plant in garden centers. Knautia Macedonica is also known as a pincushion, widow, or field scabious.
Knautia Macedonia, also known as Macedonian Scabious, is a native plant of Southeastern Europe. It grows in North Macedonia as well as Bulgaria, Greece and Romania. Knautia macedonica has a short lifespan, lasting usually between 2 and 3 years. Although the plants themselves don’t survive for long, they self-seed freely and will continue to grow year after year.
Knautia macedonica varieties, such as Thunder and Lightning, have variegated leaves that make them stand out. The majority of varieties have domed flowerheads that are atop branching stems with deep green foliage. The flowers are in bloom from the early summer to fall and attract butterflies and moths.
The tall stems, topped with small pincushion-shaped flowers, sway in a windy direction and attract many pollinators. Knautia grows clumps. Knautia dies in winter but will return in spring to bloom in early summer. It can survive temperatures of as low as 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Knautia Types
You can plant many types of Knautia in your garden to attract butterflies and other pollinators. We will focus on the Knautia Macedonica here, but other species are also worth mentioning! These varieties all have similar growth patterns to Knautia Macedonica.
Knautia arvensis is also called the Meadow Widow Flower. It blooms between July and September and is used as food by the marsh fritillary butterfly and narrow-bordered moth. This species of scabious is used to treat scabies and other sores such as those caused by Bubonic Plague.
Knautia dry media is also known as Hungarian widow flowers. It’s a European species that prefers a temperate southern climate. You can find it growing in the margins of forests and meadows. It blooms from early summer to late September.
Let’s look at Knautia macedonica Thunder and Lightning. The flowers of this Knautia are a deep fuschia color. The foliage of this plant is equally attractive with its serrated leaves and cream-colored margins. The leaf margins are shaped like lightning. This Knautia blooms from early summer until early fall.
Knautia macedonica Care and Maintenance
Once established, the Knautia Macedonica is low-maintenance and drought resistant. The plant is long-blooming, and it attracts pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. Learn what to expect from this beautiful plant.
The sun and temperature
Knautia thrives in full sunlight, so choose an area of your garden where you get at least 6-8 hours per day. Kanutia returns every year if conditions are ideal. It is, however, a perennial with a short lifespan. You are generally lasting 2-3 years. It will spread and self-seed if you give it a chance.
The ideal temperature for the plant is 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Knautia macedonica prefers a garden climate that includes warm summer days, lots of sunlight, and cool summer nights.
The plant will still love the full sun, but it may appear to droop in the summer heat, and the flowers may be less abundant, causing butterflies to move to other parts of the garden. The plant will almost die to the ground in winter but return to life when the soil warms up in spring. In zones 5-9, they do not need protection from cold.
If the plant is grown in a more northern zone, it can be raised as an annual or overwintered into a perennial with protection such as burlap bags, a frost blanket, and a cold frame. Knautias can’t survive above zone 9. They may also not be able to flower in the shade.
Humidity and water
For the first year, watering is necessary to establish Knautia. Water them twice weekly in the summer (peak growing season) and once monthly during shoulder seasons (spring, fall). In the second year, you can reduce this to one per week during peak season and one every two or three weeks in the third year.
Winter watering can benefit plants in areas with a high dryness that do not receive snow regularly—only water in winter if soil and air temperatures are over 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The soil should not be frozen; no snow is forecast or on the ground. Mulch can also protect the roots in cold weather.
They can tolerate a more extended period of dryness between watering. Mulch around the plant roots can help to retain moisture. It is essential to do this in low-humidity areas where plants grow naturally. They are drought-tolerant and have low water requirements, making them an excellent choice for water-wise gardens.
Soil
Knautia prefers more alkaline and dry soils. However, it can tolerate most soil types. The soil must drain well. As mentioned above, Knautia will benefit from a mulch layer to retain moisture. However, it’s essential that the soil drains properly and doesn’t encourage standing water.
To improve drainage, amend the soil if it is clay-rich. Perlite can help. Avoid planting near low-lying areas of your garden or downspouts that may collect water. Spread mulch sparingly so that you don’t choke out the plant. This will prevent blooms that are attractive to birds and butterflies.
Fertilizing Knautia
You shouldn’t have to fertilize your knautia if you have good or average soil. The plants are not heavy feeders; they can be fed with compost as a side dressing at the start of each growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer and follow the manufacturer’s directions if you fertilize your knut.
Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer to promote foliage growth, but not flowers.
Pruning Knautia
Knautias can be pruned in the early or late winter after the leaves have died and the flowers faded. However, this is optional. You can leave it in place until the spring and then prune it just before the new growth begins. The plant will be protected by leaving the dead leaves standing through the winter, and the seed heads that remain on the plants can serve as winter snacks for birds.
You can control the spread of knautia by deadheading the flowers in the early fall after the last blooms have faded. This will prevent the germination of new seeds. Knautia can self-seed and spread if not controlled, but it isn’t considered an invasive perennial.
Knautia, like most flowering plants, can benefit from deadheading during the growing season to promote more attractive flowers that butterflies will love. You can also use them as cut flowers. Permanently remove dead or diseased leaves as necessary.
Knautia Propagation
Knautia macedonica seeds can be grown in pots and a cold frame. For these seeds to germinate, they need a period in which they are kept at a low temperature. The roots must be exposed to temperatures above 39 degrees Fahrenheit for at least four weeks before sowing. Place the seeds in an insulated cold frame between February and April. This is a low-maintenance way to achieve it.
