How to Grow Scabiosa Flowers, Pincushion

About Growing Scabiosa Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

Scabiosa flowers, commonly called Pincushion Flower, are attractive and popular flowers. The common name “Pincushion Flower” comes from the appearance of the flower. The center of the bloom resembles a pin cushion. And, the stamens in the center look like pins. The flowers signify, freedom, purity, and transformation. If you’ve never grown Scabiosa plants before, you are in for a real treat. Use this guide on “How to Grow Scabiosa Flowers”. Then, get growing a very beautiful bloomer!

Scabiosa flowers are native to Asia and Europe. While they are perennials, some of the more cold sensitive varieties are grown as annuals. And, they are often grown as annuals in more northerly regions of the country. The plants have lush, gray to blue-green, evergreen foliage. Delicate flowers will bloom from spring through mid-fall if you deadhead spent blooms. Flowers grow atop tall, strong stems, making them good-cut flowers. They also make good dried flowers.

Grow Scabiosa in small groupings in flower beds, as borders, as a container plant, and in rock gardens. The nectar-laden flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

During the Middle Ages, people believed Scabiosa plants had magical powers. They used them in spells and potions.

Scabiosa Flower Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: Burgundy, cream, lavender, pink, red, white.

Flowers Bloom: Usually, late spring to early Summer. Deadhead flowers to extend the blooming period.

Plant height: Two to three feet tall.

Ideal Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.5.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 3 – 7

Light Needs: Bright, full sunlight.

Toxic Plant?: No.

Deer Resistant? Yes. The plant’s strong scent and bitter taste are a deterrent to deer, rabbits, and other foraging animals.

Number of Species: 68

Native to: Asia, Europe, eastern and southern Africa.

Plant Type: Perennial. They are short-lived, with a two to three-year life cycle.

Botanical Name: Scabiosa Caucasic

Other Names: Devil’s Bit, Pincushion Flower, Scabious

Scabiosa Plant Propagation

Pincushion Flowers are grown from seeds. With a long germination period, we recommend starting them indoors, 4-6 weeks before the last frost in your area.

Note: For indoor starts, we recommend using a heated germination mat, to increase the speed of germination. And, it, results in a higher germination rate.

You can also directly sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, and the soil begins to warm. Plant the seeds no more than 1/4″ deep. Then, mark the planting site, as it will take a while for the seeds to sprout.

After 3-4 years, Scabiosa plants should be divided and replanted in the spring. If the plant is not divided, production will dwindle, and the plant will die. Dig up the crown. Cut or break the crown into 3 parts. Then, replant. Or, give some to an appreciative gardening buddy.

Final Plant Spacing: Space plants 12 inches apart.

Days to Germination: Seeds sprout in 10 – 30 days.

About Seed Germination

Are Scabiosa Plants Edible?

YES!!

While they are edible, they are not popular in the kitchen. Often, they are bitter tasting. But, the leaves are somewhat sweet when young.

If you’d like to try them, we suggest you first add a few leaves to your salad. Also use them as a garnish.

Medicinal Uses for Scabiosoa Plants

Through the ages, this flowering herb was used for a wide variety of medicinal applications. The plant has antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. They are still used today in herbal medicines and home medicinal remedies. Here are some of them:

Ease a variety of stomach ailments.
Treat skin sores, infections, and other skin problems.
Use it to treat respiratory problems.

Light Requirements for Pincushion Flowers

Scabiosa flowers will look and grow their best in full, direct sunlight. Plant them in a location where they will receive at least six to eight hours of bright sunlight. In hotter regions of the country, the plants benefit from a little afternoon shade during midsummer. But, be careful. They do not like too much shade.

How to Grow Scabiosa Flower Plants

Planting and Soil Needs:

Plants are easy to grow. They need little attention during the year. Plants do not like cold or hot, humid weather. Grow Scabiosa flowers in full sun to light shade.

Scabiosa plants like rich, organic, well-drained soil. Mix compost into the planting site, when first planting or when dividing and replanting the crown. Apply a general-purpose fertilizer after planting.

Water Needs:

Keep the soil moist, not wet. Apply extra water during droughts and hot weather.

Fertilizer Needs:

Fertilize established plants once in the spring with a general-purpose fertilizer after plants have begun to grow. Fertilize again in early summer.

Mulch around plants to keep weeds down, and for a neat and tidy appearance. It will also feed the plants as the material breaks down.

Deadhead spent blooms as soon as they have died off. This will prompt the plant to produce new blooms all season long.

Pruning Scabiosa Flowers

First remove any dead, damaged, or diseased leaves and stems as soon as you see them.

In the Spring, trim the plant before new growth begins to appear. Give the plant a more shapely appearance. Remove any leggy stems. Then, wait until the plant begins to regrow. If a stem does not produce leaves and appears dead, take a pair of sharp pruning shears and cut it off just above the crown.

Removing spent flowers is good for plant appearance and health. And, it lengthens the blooming period by encouraging the development of new flower bulbs.

Deadhead the flowers as soon as it dies off. However, leave a few dead flowers on the plant if you want to harvest seeds to plant them in a new location. Importantly, don’t forget to give some of the seeds to your gardening friends.

How to Grow Scabiosa Plants in Containers and Flowerpots

Pincushion flowers are great candidates for flowerpots and containers. While they grow a little too tall for windowsill planters, they look right at home on your patio or deck.

Like any container-grown plant, they need a little more care and attention. In addition to normal plant care, here’s how to grow Scabiosa flowers in containers:

As previously mentioned, these plants look good growing together in groups. And they tolerate a little overcrowding. So, grow them in containers closer than recommended.
Select a sunny to partly sunny location on your deck.
It is important to have a drain hole in the container to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every few days, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Keep the soil slightly dry to moist, but not wet. Let the top of the soil begin to dry between watering.
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer once a month.

Insects and Plant Disease

Pincushion Flowers seldom are bothered by insects and disease. Generally, these plants do not need insecticides or fungicides.

If insect or disease problems occur, treat them early with insecticidal soap and /or fungicide.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.

Overwintering Scabiosa Plants

Overwintering Scabiosa Plants Outdoors

In most areas, the plants overwinter outdoors with no problem. Do not cut the plant back in the Fall. In colder, more northerly regions of the country, apply a thick layer of mulch over the root area to protect the crowns. Then, in the early spring, rake off the excess mulch. Prune back any winter-damaged growth.

For Overwintering Scabiosa Plants in Containers

If left outdoors in cold northern climates, the crown can freeze and die. This will damage or kill them. So, plan on sheltering the containers from the most brutal winters. Bring the container into a cool garage or shed. Bring the containers back onto your patio or deck in mid-spring. Cut back any growth that has died during the winter months.