Devil’s Bit Scabious -succisa pratensis– is well suited to a variety of soils but tends to grow best in damp areas in sun or semi shade. The unusual name comes from the fact that Devil’s Bit Scabious has a shallow root, ending very sharply, and in folklore, there is a tale suggesting the root was bitten off by the devil, who was jealous of the plants qualities !. This is an excellent plant for drawing in insects especially bees, and butterflies, and after flowering, birds will visit the seed heads. In the wild, Devil’s Bit Scabious also plays host to the Marsh fritillary, as a breeding butterfly. Plants typically grows to about 3 foot in height and produce masses of rich purple flower heads late in the season from July to September. Devil’s Bit Scabious looks best growing with other wetland plants that flower in late summer such as Hemp Agrimony, Meadow-sweet, Purple loosestrife, and Common Fleabane.