How to Grow Knautia

This perennial has tall, wiry stems with deep purple flowers that weave through the garden in summer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Garden Spades
• Garden Trowels
• Mulch
• Plants
• Plants

Planting Knautia

1. Plant knautia in full sun in well-drained soil.

2. Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

3. Set the plants 12 to 18 inches apart.

4. Place the plants no deeper than they were growing in the container.

5. Mulch around but not on top of the plant with 3 inches of organic compost.

6. Water well until soil is completely moist.

Caring for Knautia

7. Cut back old flower stems all the way to the base using bypass pruners.

8. Trim off old leaves in early spring with scissors or bypass pruners.

9. Apply a light application of organic fertilizer to the top of the soil in spring; follow directions on the package.

10. Water weekly in summers with no rainfall.

Choosing Knautia

11. Look for knautia in nurseries in spring through summer.

12. Buy knautia in 4-inch to one-gallon containers.

13. Choose plants with healthy-looking leaves, and in summer, new flower stems growing.