Scabiosa

( skay - bee - OH - suh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of annuals and perennials is commonly called Pincushion Flower and needs full sun and moderate to regular water. These flowers will attract butterflies to your garden. Each flower has protruding stamens and blooms beginning in midsummer through the first frost of the year. To prolong bloom, flowers should be deadheaded regularly. Pincushion flowers are fantastic in mixed borders and as cut flowers.

Scabiosa Species and Varietals

The genus Scabiosa is a member of the Honeysuckle plant family Caprifoliaceae and includes around 70 accepted species. Pincushion Flower growing zones vary depending on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Scabiosa atropurpurea (Pincushion Flower, Mourning Bride)
This species is an annual in zones 1-24, H1 and H2 and can persist as a perennial where winters are mild. It is native to southern Europe and reaches 2.5-3 feet tall and a foot wide. Flowers top stems in black-purple, salmon, pink, rose, and white. These flowers will attract birds to your yard. Variety 'Black Knight' has almost black dark maroon flowers.

Scabiosa caucasica (Pincushion Flower)
This species is grown as a perennial in zones 1-10 and 14-24 and is native to the Caucasus, Iran and Turkey. It reaches 1.5-2.5 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide, and has white, bluish, or lavender flowers. This species needs partial shade in warmer climates, but can otherwise take full sun conditions. Varieties include 'Fama' (with blue flowers with wide rays) and 'Fama White' (with white flowers).

​Scabiosa columbaria
This perennial grows best in zones 2-11 and 14-24 and is native to Europe, Africa and Asia. Leaves are greyish-green and flowers are lavender-blue, pink or white. This species can bloom almost year-round in mild climates. Choice varieties include 'Butterfly Blue' (with deep lavender-blue blooms) and 'Pink Mist' (with pink flowers). Scabiosa columbaria ochroleuca gas white to cream-colored flowers and reaches about 2 feet tall.

Scabiosa japonica
​These plants are native to central and southern Japan and have been introduced to the Dominican Republic. These are biennial to short-lived perennial plants that reach between 4 and 20 inches tall when mature and in bloom. There are many garden ornamental cultivars, including 'Blue Note', 'Blue Star', 'Blue Diamonds', 'Ritz Blue', and 'Ritz Rose'.

Scabiosa stellata
This species grows well in zones 1-24 and is an annual from the western Mediterranean. It reaches 1.5 feet tall and a foot wide. Flowers are pale blue and mature quickly to brownish-bronze heads that are great for dried arrangements.

​Scabiosa 'Vivid Violet'
This hybrid cultivar of the genus grows well in zones 2-11 and 14-24, and reaches 11 inches tall and 18 inches wide at maturity when in bloom. Flowers are violet-pink and appear in spring, lasting through the year's first frost.

Caring for Scabiosa

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Scabiosa
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 592 - 593, Scabiosa
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
​