This giant scabious is sending up branched stems of pale yellow flowers above surrounding plantings on the Herbaceous Beds.
A perennial, clump-forming species from the Caucasus, Cephalaria gigantea brings welcome height to herbaceous borders, where it can reach 2.5m. It closely resembles the native field scabious (Knautia arvensis) in flower form. Although previously assigned to the teasel family, Dipsacaceae, it is now considered to be a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. It has a basal rosette of lobed, pinnate leaves, and produces pale yellow, pin-cushion-like flowers held on wiry stems, and although tall, it has a light, airy presence. This is an easy perennial, which grows well in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, and which is also attractive to a range of pollinating insects.