{"product_id":"scabiosa-columbaria-mariposa-blue","title":"Scabiosa columbaria 'Mariposa Blue'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMariposa Blue Pincushion Flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"299\" data-end=\"320\"\u003eScabiosa columbaria\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Mariposa Blue’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caprifoliaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Europe, North Africa \u0026amp; Western Asia (cultivar selection)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA refined, long-flowering Scabiosa perfectly suited to Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate, \u003cem data-start=\"605\" data-end=\"626\"\u003eScabiosa columbaria\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Mariposa Blue’ produces masses of soft lavender-blue pincushion blooms with delicate ruffled edges, creating an airy, romantic display from late spring through autumn. Compact, upright and gently mounding, it fits beautifully into mixed borders, cottage gardens, low-water landscapes and pots. The foliage is fine-textured and mid-green, often developing silvery, blue-green or soft purple tints during cold weather or dry spells. While not considered fragrant, the flowers may have a faint sweet floral scent when inspected closely. Highly attractive to pollinators and tolerant of heat and dryness once established, it thrives in SA’s warm, dry summers so long as the soil is free-draining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.35–0.5 m H × 0.35–0.5 m W\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–30 cm per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Finely divided, mid-green leaves; may show silvery, blue-green or purplish tints in winter or dry periods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft lavender-blue pincushion blooms with frilled petals; strong flush in late spring–early summer, with repeat flowering into autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not considered fragrant — flowers may have a subtle sweet note up close\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long flowering period from late spring through autumn; evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage with seasonal colour tints\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent nectar source for bees, butterflies and hoverflies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant once established; heat- and wind-tolerant; coastal-tolerant (second-line); light frost hardy; dislikes heavy clay or poorly drained soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–5 plants per m² for mass colour; 30–40 cm spacing in borders; suitable for 20–30 cm pots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-toxic to cats and dogs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for strongest flowering and best plant shape; tolerates light part shade with reduced bloom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-draining sandy or loamy soils; thrives in slightly alkaline soils common across Adelaide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; minimal water in winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove spent flowers to extend blooming; trim lightly in late winter to maintain shape; avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers which encourage leafy growth over flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–6+ years in well-drained conditions; can be renewed by division every 2–3 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent for Mediterranean and temperate SA — Adelaide Plains, foothills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, coastal suburbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neutral to alkaline preferred; tolerates slightly acidic soils if drainage is excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCottage and mixed perennial borders for soft, airy pastel colour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePollinator gardens where bees and butterflies are encouraged\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRock gardens and gravel borders needing long-season bloom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaterwise plantings paired with Gaura, Salvia, Catmint, Verbena and ornamental grasses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlfresco pots and courtyard containers for charming seasonal display\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Mariposa Blue’ provides months of delicate lavender-blue blooms with almost effortless care, thriving in Adelaide’s warm, dry climate. Heat-tolerant, long-flowering, pollinator-friendly and beautifully textured, it’s a standout performer for borders, verges, cottage gardens and modern waterwise designs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":48598099099900,"sku":"SCAB-COLU-MARI-BLUE-140MM","price":12.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/scabiosa-columbaria-mariposa-blue-pincushion-flower-140mm-adelaide-plant-co_0c0f5214-5de1-460c-9f6c-0dcebcec423c.png?v=1765506901","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/scabiosa-columbaria-mariposa-blue","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}