How to Grow Oxford Blue
Scabiosa atropurpurea
Your complete guide to growing Oxford Blue.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsWhen to Plant Oxford Blue
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – August | — |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January | February – April | — |
| Zone 11 | January | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January | January – March | — |
Companion Plants for Oxford Blue
✓ Good companions
Deter aphids and Japanese beetles with their strong onion scent
Attract beneficial insects and provide complementary colors without competing for nutrients
Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away
Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs naturally
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps for pest control
Attract ladybugs and other beneficial predators while providing long-lasting blooms
✗ Keep away from
Releases juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill many flowering plants
Produces allelopathic compounds that suppress germination and growth of nearby plants
Secretes compounds that inhibit growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
