Id-Code: SB 251
Family: Dipsacaceae
Origin: Europe, Africa and Asia
Special features: Long-flowering, trouble-free perennial which is remarkably similar to the celebrated 'Butterfly Blue'
Colour: 5 cm (2'') lavender-blue pincushion-like flowers
Natural Flowering Period: June - September
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z5-8
Growth Habit: Low-growing clumps
Foliage: Basal leaves are often divided, stem leaves are more cut-leaf
Height with Flowers: 25 cm (10'')
Spacing between Plants: 25 cm (10'')
Soil Requirements: Well-drained acid-free soils, pH 6.5 - 7.2
Location: Full sun
Use: Plant together in the rock garden or in the front of the border with Oenothera macrocarpa ssp. incana, Dianthus amurensis and Platycodon 'Zwerg'. Excellent for container production.
Specialities: Long flowering and attracts butterflies
Cultural Tips: Scheduling:
Growing On:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 1,923
Seeds per Gram: 520
Seeding Recommendation: 5 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2-3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72 or 128
Germination: These perennial seeds germinate very irregularly over a long period. Lower temperatues of less than +5°C (41°F) are very effective. Seed trays should not be discarded prematurely. Constant moisture must be maintained. Do not leave in direct sunlight.
Best Sowing Dates: November - March
Sowing to Germination: 4 - 8 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not Necessary
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2'')
Vernalization: Some flowering will occur the first year without vernalization, but improved flowering will occur the 2nd year; and 3-10 weeks of cool temperatures might benefit fuller flowering in the first year.
Forcing: An obvious place to experiment - following vernalization - would be raising daytime temperatures to 60° - 65°F (15° - 17°C). Provide 16 hours of continuous lighting. During the short days of winter, provide a night interruption lighting of 4 hours between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)
