Scabiosa atropurpurea. Scabiosa Imperial Mix seeds are also known as the Pincushion Flower. Fully double flowers in rose, pink, purple, lavender, maroon, and white. Flowers are 8cm (3") across and almost ball-shaped, appearing from mid-summer to frost. Start this annual indoors 4-5 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors in autumn. Plant height to 78-104cm (30-40"). Scabiosa flowers are unusually generous with nectar, so these plants will attract all manner of insects, and even hummingbirds. Scabiosa is drought tolerant so it is useful for xeriscaping. Bring some cut flowers indoors and enjoy their fragrant scent in flower arrangements.
Annual
Scabiosa is sometimes listed as Sweet Scabious or Pincushion Flower. Also mourningbride. It is easy to plant and grow Scabiosa seeds.
Latin
Scabiosa atropurpurea
Family: Disacaceae
Difficulty
Easy
Season & Zone: Annual
Exposure: Full sun
Timing
Sow indoors 8 – 10 weeks before planting out. Sow outdoors in early spring, when a risk of light frost is still possible. In mild winter areas, seeds can be sown in the fall.
Starting
Barely cover the small seeds. Space plants 30-45cm (8-12″) apart.
Growing
Deadhead regularly. Grow in average, humus-rich well drained soil with pH in the 7.0 to 8.0 range.
