Succisella inflexa

Southern Succisella Dipsacaceae

Succisella inflexa is a lovely and rather underused European perennial, forming a spreading clump of narrow, dark green leaves from which rise slender, branching stems topped with rounded lilac-blue to pale purple pincushion flowerheads. It has much of the airy charm of a scabious, but with a more restrained and refined habit, flowering through summer and often well into early autumn. The RHS records stems to around 80 cm and describes it as particularly suited to moisture-retentive soils. 

Native from central and southeastern Europe eastwards to the western Caucasus, S. inflexa is naturally associated with damp grassland and other moist, temperate habitats. It is therefore an excellent choice where the ordinary garden scabious might struggle with heavier or moister conditions. The species is remarkably cold hardy too, with the RHS rating it H6, making it comfortably hardy throughout Britain. 

There is, inevitably, a nomenclatural tangle. The species was originally described as Scabiosa inflexa Kluk in 1809, before eventually finding its way into Succisella. Succisa inflexa and Succisa australis are among its numerous historical names, while Scabiosa australis is another frequently encountered synonym. Kew currently accepts _Succisella inflexa (Kluk) Beck. The epithet inflexa means bent or curved, presumably referring to some aspect of the plant’s morphology. 

In the garden it is particularly effective in a meadow, prairie-style planting or the middle of a sunny herbaceous border, where its branching stems weave pleasantly through neighbouring plants without becoming cumbersome. It also has the advantage of tolerating partial shade, although flowering is likely to be best in good light. Give it moisture and it is remarkably undemanding.

Cultivation: Full sun or partial shade in a moisture-retentive, fertile soil. Happy in clay, loam or sand provided it does not become excessively dry. It requires little maintenance and can be propagated readily from seed. 

Height: 60–80 cm
Spread: 30–50 cm
Flowering period: July–September
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Soil: Moisture-retentive, acid to neutral; tolerant of clay
Hardiness: H6, to around –20°C
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Common name: Southern succisella