Pincushion flower is a charming little perennial that grows about 18 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. It has green to grey-green foliage that is deeply lobed and forms dense low clumps. Flowers sit atop tall, wiry stems and bloom from late May to mid summer, sometimes longer. The flowers have ruffled outer petals in pale blue, lavender, and white, and they surround a center cushion with protruding stamens that resemble pins in a cushion. Use in perennial borders, parkstrips, along walks; an excellent cut flower.
Grow in well drained soil in full sun. Will not tolerate wet soils. Sandy-loam or amended clay soils are fine. Deadheading will prolong the bloom period, though leaving some flowers to go to seed may result in new scabiosa for the garden. The species is not as commonly available as are the named cultivars, but the species has a lot of charm.