Scabiosa brown in center

by Donna
(Bakersfield, CA)

Mine were planted in clay soil about 3 yrs ago. This year some of the larger plants are brown in the middle with a wreath of blooming foliage around them. Critter? Nature of the plant? Old and need to be replaced? Until this year they have been great!


Doug says "old age". You may be able to divide them taking the new green shoots with roots off the older dead center. Treat them like a mum in this regard - grow the outer new plants and discard the inner dead one. You did well to get 3 years from it.