Devils Bit Scabious
Succisa pratensis
Full description
It can flower from July to October. Although liking moist ground, it also succeeds on grasslands and wastelands. It is found in damp locations in meadows, stream banks, rocky grasslands on calcareous to slightly acid soils. Some light is needed for the plant to really thrive. Grass growth needs to be restricted by either grazing or low fertility.
It can be cut back in the spring and, if necessary, again in the Autumn. In the designed landscape the Devils Bit Scabious is valuable for its late flowering season, attractive flowers and long life.
Of all our native wildflowers very few attract more butterflies than the Devils Bit Scabious, which is favoured by the Tortoiseshells, Admirals, Marsh Fritillary (as the larval host plant) and nearly all types of bees.