Scabiosa 'Grand Stone' is the result of a cross between an old classic, S. caucasica 'Clive Greaves' and an all white variety Peter van Steijn selected himself.

His aim was to combine the pale lavender-blue colouring of 'Clive Greaves' with the large heart of his white selection, as according to Peter, 'the larger the heart, the longer-lasting the flower'.

He got his wish, with enormous 4" flowers of ruffled lavender-blue petals around a large centre, with the added bonus of thicker, stronger stems. Somehow 1 and 1 added up to 3, as a new, magnificent Scabiosa was created. 

The white parent, selected for its large heart, has been grown for a number of years as a cut flower.

Peter van Steijn started working with Scabiosas back in 1995 with some seeds from England, from which this white selection was chosen. The crossing with 'Clive Greaves' which produced 'Grand Stone' was made in 2001.  
 

The flower in its mid-stage. The large green heart will open last with small, ruffled white petals with protruding pink stamens.