Scabiosa Seeds,
Ritz Rose

Ritz Rose is a frost-hardy perennial small enough to keep in a pot, so start it indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost where you can keep an eye on it. Two weeks of cold stratification in the refrigerator first improves germination; barely cover the seed, ¼ inch at most, and allow 10 to 20 days for sprouts. Give each plant about 10 inches of room in full sun, and expect the first rose pink pincushions 90 to 100 days from sowing.

• Sow indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. (Cold-stratifying in the fridge for 2 weeks improves germination.)
• Sow near soil surface, barely covering seeds, as light aids germination.
• Succession plant every 2-3 weeks until midsummer to provide the best blooms.

• Annual to 2 feet.
• Space plants about a foot apart in the bed.
• Bloom season begins in early summer.
• Remove spent blooms to prolong blooming season.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Add lime to strongly acid soils.
• May require support.
• Can be affected by common garden pests like aphids, slugs, spider mites, and thrips.

• Select the heads from which you wish to save seeds and allow them to dry. The spent flowers will dry up and fall off, leaving behind a pale green seed head.
• Allow selected seed heads to dry on plant and turn brown.
• Harvest the seed head when seeds begin to fall away. (Mature seed heads can be harvested early and hung to dry further until seeds begin to fall away.) Release the seeds from the seed head by squeezing/rubbing them between your fingers, or through other means of agitation. Winnow to separate chaff and dry further if necessary to ensure seeds are completely dry!
• Store seeds in airtight containers.