Guide to growing garden plants - Jasione Sheep's Scabious

Members of the Jasione genus can be hardy annuals, biennials or perrenials.

They reach heights of 20 to 30 cm and flower with blue or white pom-pom flowers in the summer.

Their small size makes them ideal for use at the front of borders or in rock gardens.

Some of the names for Jasione include Sheep's Scabious, and Sheep's bit.

How to grow Sheep's Scabious

Sheep's Scabious can be grown outdoors by sowing seeds (lightly cover) before the last frost of spring. They should be grown in an area of the garden that is either sunny or partially shaded, and has good drainage, and an acidic soil.

If starting Sheep's Scabious (and other Jasione species) indoors then they should be started about two months before they are due to be transplanted in either early spring or early autumn. They will take from two to four weeks to germinate at 21 degrees Celsius. Once growing transplant the Sheep's Scabious into the garden at about 30cm apart.

Caring for Sheep Scabious and other Jasione plants

It is quite easy to look after Jasione in the garden; they require a mulch in the spring, regular watering to keep the soil moist; and the flowering stems removed once flowering has been completed in the autumn. If you require more plants then divide Sheep's scabious in the spring.