Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Blue, Lavender, White

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Grey Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Parking Strip, Walkways

 

Special Uses

Container, Cut Flowers, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

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.