Knautia macedonica ‘Melton Pastels’ – Cottage Garden Charm with Soft Summer Colour

The Knautia macedonica ‘Melton Pastels’ is a delightful perennial, loved for its masses of pincushion-like flowers in a soft blend of pastel shades. Blooming in shades of pink, lilac, and mauve, these charming blossoms rise gracefully on wiry stems above a mound of green foliage, bringing movement and colour to borders throughout the summer months.

Perfect for cottage gardens, prairie planting schemes, or wildlife-friendly spaces, ‘Melton Pastels’ combines natural beauty with reliability. Its long flowering season, pollinator-friendly blooms, and informal habit make it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add softness and cheer to their outdoor spaces.

General Information

Knautia macedonica is a hardy perennial native to southeastern Europe, closely related to scabious. The cultivar ‘Melton Pastels’ offers a wider range of flower colours than the species, making it a versatile and eye-catching choice.

• Habit: Upright, clump-forming perennial with wiry stems and airy flowers.

• Height & spread: Typically grows 60–90cm tall and 45–60cm wide.

• Foliage: Deep green, divided leaves form a loose mound at the base.

• Flowers: Small, pincushion-like blooms in soft shades of pink, lilac, and mauve.

• Flowering season: June to September, with flowers continuing into autumn if regularly deadheaded.

• Position: Prefers full sun, though tolerates very light partial shade.

• Soil: Well-drained soil is essential; thrives in sandy or loamy ground but dislikes waterlogging.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK and Ireland.

• Uses: Excellent for cottage gardens, wildlife gardens, prairie-style planting, or cutting for informal arrangements.

The airy nature of its flowers means it works beautifully in naturalistic designs, weaving through other perennials and grasses.

Care Guide

Knautia macedonica ‘Melton Pastels’ is easy to grow and rewards regular attention with a long season of colour.

Planting

• When to plant: Best in spring or autumn to allow roots to establish before extreme weather.

• Depth & spacing: Plant at the same depth as in the pot; space 40–50cm apart.

• Companions: Looks lovely mixed with ornamental grasses, echinacea, or salvia for a soft, airy effect.

Watering & Feeding

• Water regularly during the first growing season until established.

• Once mature, drought-tolerant but benefits from deep watering in prolonged dry periods.

• Feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser, and again in midsummer to support repeat flowering.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Deadhead spent flowers regularly to extend the flowering season into autumn.

• Cut stems back to the base once flowering finishes in late autumn.

• In spring, tidy away any old or dead foliage to make way for fresh growth.

• Divide clumps every 3–4 years in spring or autumn to maintain vigour.

Protection

• Fully hardy with no need for winter protection.

• Generally pest-free, though young shoots may be nibbled by slugs or snails.

• Avoid planting in poorly drained soils, which can cause crown rot.

Why Choose Knautia macedonica ‘Melton Pastels’?

This charming perennial combines beauty, resilience, and pollinator value.

• Long flowering season: Blooms for months from early summer into autumn.

• Soft pastel colours: Adds a romantic, informal feel to borders.

• Wildlife-friendly: A magnet for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

• Low-maintenance: Hardy, drought-tolerant, and easy to care for.

• Versatile planting: Works in cottage gardens, prairie schemes, or as cut flowers.

The Knautia macedonica ‘Melton Pastels’ is an enchanting perennial that delivers months of delicate pastel colour and movement in the garden. Whether mingling with grasses in a naturalistic border, brightening a sunny bed, or filling a cottage garden with charm, it is a reliable and rewarding plant for gardeners of all experience levels.

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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