White scabious

Happy_Sloth

hi there, 
Can someone help me with my white scabious... i have a lovely scabious it's a tall rather than clumping variety but it instead of sending stem's upward it's got 2 stem's running along the ground... under the foliage of all my other plants. I've tried staking it but the stems it's grown are quite thick and it it's difficult change it's direction without snapping them.  it's trying to flower but it really does just look pathetic i debated just cutting it back to crown and see it if did a better job 2nd try but there isn't any basal foliage id i'm worried about leaving it without any leaves at all.  
Any ideas? 

twopenny

No ideas. I'm following the thread because I have the same problem with a scabious this year. The stems seem to have turned into creepers with no crown.

Happy_Sloth

At the beginning of the year i had the problem with 2 of my scabacious,  i cut both to the ground in spring.  One of them has appeared to have got the message and is at least attempting to grow upward... the 2nd however is being very stubborn. Im just not sure if cutting it right back again is a good plan especially at flowering time.  

[Deleted User]

With tall, leggy, plants i use the various different types of plastic coated metal shaped 'stakes' that are a semi circle on 2 legs (for the life of me can't remember their proper name!) and push the stems behind/into the semi circle and it keeps them in place, i do use some twine sometimes to attach them to it.
This keeps them in a 'clump' aswell as keeping them upright.
I also use them on some young shrubs to stop them from growing into a lax shape.

twopenny

I've saved the metal ring from the bottom of an old lamp shade. I'll add 'legs' and try that Catsacor.

People think I'm nuts saving these rings but they are really good plant supports for free.