Scabiosa Atalanta® 'Compact White' – Planting & Care Guide

About Scabiosa Atalanta® 'Compact White'

Scabiosa Atalanta® 'Compact White', commonly known as Scabious or Pincushion Flower, is a compact, long-flowering perennial producing elegant pure white, pincushion-shaped flowers above neat green foliage.

Its naturally compact habit makes it particularly suitable for the front of borders, rockeries and patio containers. The flowers are held on slender stems above the foliage, creating a light, airy display throughout the summer. They are also highly attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.

Growing to approximately 25–35cm tall with a spread of around 25–35cm, Atalanta® 'Compact White' is an excellent choice for smaller gardens and mixed container displays.

Planting Guide

• Plant in full sun for the best flowering.
• Choose an open position with good air circulation.
• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil.
• Suitable for loam, sandy and free-draining clay soils.
• Improve heavy soils with organic matter and horticultural grit.
• Dig a planting hole slightly larger than the root ball.
• Plant at the same depth as it was growing in its container.
• Backfill, firm gently and water thoroughly.
• Avoid planting where the soil remains waterlogged during winter.
• Space plants approximately 25–35cm apart.

Care & Maintenance

Scabiosa Atalanta® 'Compact White' is easy to maintain and flowers for a long period when regularly deadheaded.

• Water regularly while newly planted.
• Once established, water during prolonged dry periods.
• Avoid keeping the soil constantly wet.
• Feed lightly with a balanced fertiliser in spring.
• Container-grown plants benefit from regular feeding during the flowering season.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
• Maintain good drainage, particularly during winter.

Pruning

Regular deadheading is particularly beneficial.

• Remove faded flowers and their stems throughout the flowering season.
• Frequent deadheading encourages the production of new flower buds.
• Trim away damaged or untidy foliage when necessary.
• Cut back old growth in late winter or early spring.
• Divide older clumps in spring if they become congested or lose vigour.

Growing Conditions

• Botanical Name: Scabiosa Atalanta® 'Compact White'
• Common Name: Scabious, Pincushion Flower
• Plant Type: Herbaceous to semi-evergreen perennial
• Mature Height: Approximately 25–35cm
• Spread: Approximately 25–35cm
• Flower Colour: Pure white
• Flowering Period: May to September
• Foliage: Fresh green
• Position: Full sun
• Soil: Fertile and well-drained
• Growth Habit: Compact and mound-forming
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Hardiness: Hardy and suitable for Irish gardens in well-drained soil

Ideal Uses in the Garden

The compact size and neutral white flowers make Atalanta® 'Compact White' extremely versatile.

• Front of perennial borders
• Patio containers
• Rockeries
• Gravel gardens
• Cottage gardens
• Raised beds
• Courtyard gardens
• Pollinator-friendly gardens
• Small gardens
• Cut flower gardens

It combines beautifully with Dianthus, Nepeta, Salvia, Geranium, Lavender, Heuchera, Echinacea and compact ornamental grasses.

Seasonal Interest

• Fresh foliage develops during spring.
• Elegant white flowers begin appearing from late spring.
• Regular deadheading encourages continuous flowering throughout summer.
• Flowers are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies.
• Decorative seed heads can be left on some stems for additional late-season interest.

Common Problems

Scabiosa Atalanta® 'Compact White' is generally healthy and straightforward to grow.

• Winter waterlogging is one of the main problems and can cause root or crown rot.
• Poor flowering may result from excessive shade.
• Aphids may occasionally appear on young growth.
• Slugs and snails can sometimes damage fresh spring foliage.
• Plants may become less vigorous in heavy, permanently wet soil.
• Good drainage and regular deadheading will help maintain healthy, free-flowering plants.

With its elegant white pincushion flowers, compact habit and long flowering season, Scabiosa Atalanta® 'Compact White' is an excellent perennial for Irish gardens. Ideal for containers and the front of sunny borders, it provides months of delicate colour while offering a valuable nectar source for bees, butterflies and other garden pollinators

• Size
  2L

Kindly be aware when mix/ mixed/ assorted/ varieties is mention you will receive ONLY ONE plant/ item, which will be selected for delivery, photos may show different varieties available - which may also vary 

 
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 DPD 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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