FIELD SCABIOSA

Knautia macedonica 'Thunder and Lightning' is more commonly known as Thunder and Lightning Field Scabiosa. It is celebrated for its dramatic foliage and a profusion of colorful blooms, making it a standout in any garden border. Unlike other Knautia varieties, this cultivar is highly valued for its striking, variegated foliage: a dense mound of deeply serrated, light green leaves with bold, creamy-white to yellowish margins that give the effect of "lightning strikes."

'Thunder and Lightning' has a compact, clump-forming habit. Slender, wiry stems rise from the foliage to a height of 12 to 18 inches and are topped with a non-stop display of 1- to 1.5-inch pincushion-like flowers in a vibrant deep reddish-purple or dark magenta color, which contrasts beautifully with the pale foliage. The long bloom period stretches from early summer well into the fall, attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

'Thunder and Lightning' performs best in full sun to ensure the best leaf coloration and flower production. It requires well-drained soil and, once established, is relatively drought-tolerant. Like its relatives, it prefers climates with cool summer nights and may struggle in the high heat and humidity of the deep South. Prompt deadheading of spent flowers will encourage an extended blooming season.