The Self-Seeding Perennial That'll Grow Tall & Add A Pop Of Color To Your Garden

Looking for a way to add the butter yellow trend to your garden? The Giant Scabious (Cephalaria gigantea) is a bright yellow, self-seeding perennial that usually grows 4 to 6 feet tall, but it can grow up to 8 feet tall. They can be planted in gardens in hardiness zones 3 to 9 (USDA). These giant flowers are perfect for adding an enchanting pop of color to your garden — they look a big like pincushions. While there are some self-seeding flowers you might actually want to avoid, the Giant Scabious isn't one of them. Even though they self-pollinate, they are not considered an invasive species. In fact, they are used in some parts of the world as alternatives to invasive species in the area. 

These gorgeous towering plants that produce giant blooms provide long-lasting color — they typically bloom from June to August — while attracting pollinators like butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects to your garden. In addition, they can be paired with almost any other color, so they can easily integrate into an already established garden without altering the aesthetic. And the best part is, they are easy to care for!

Tall growing plants and flowers are great for transforming small gardens, but they can work in large spaces as well. This flower adds height to your garden to create a layered look. They can work as a backdrop for shorter blooms. To get started, plant the seeds indoors in a well-draining soil mix. Make sure that the seeds maintain steady moisture levels. Once the plant begins to sprout a few leaves, transplant it to a location in your garden that gets full sun. While they can grow in partially shaded locations, they tend to wilt less with more sun.

After that, there isn't much work involved in maintaining the Giant Scabious. Water the plant at least once per week. After the first year, you won't need to worry about replanting or seeding. All you need to do is pay attention when the blooms begin to die at the end of the season. To make sure that the plant continues to self-seed, cut dead blooms off just under the head. At the end of the season, when all the bloom heads have died, cut the stems down to the foliage. Then, just sit back and enjoy these happy, giant, self-seeding flowers.