Widow Flower 'Mars Midget'

Widow Flower ‘Mars Midget’ is a compact, clump-forming Knautia macedonica selection, with fine-cut green foliage and deep purplish-red pincushion flowers. The Royal Horticultural Society describes this dwarf form as reaching about 40cm tall, with flowerheads 3–4cm across from mid-summer into autumn. Its shorter stature suits the front of a sunny perennial border or a small pollinator planting, and the RHS lists chalk, loam and sand among suitable, well-drained soils. [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/180972/knautia-macedonica-mars-midget/details). Give the plant full sun for a sturdy, floriferous clump. It tolerates exposed or sheltered positions and alkaline or neutral soil when drainage is adequate. The long succession of flowers can extend seasonal interest, and individual stems are suitable for cutting. Avoid treating this named dwarf selection as interchangeable with taller Knautia cultivars: its compact habit is central to its garden use. The RHS notes that aphids and powdery mildew may occur, particularly where growth is stressed or crowded. ## Maintenance Deadhead spent flower stems to encourage a tidier display and limit self-seeding. Cut back old stems after flowering or in late winter, and divide an overcrowded clump when growth becomes congested. Check young growth for aphids and maintain airflow to reduce powdery mildew.