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Scabiosa
Long-Blooming Easy-Care Pollinator Blooms
- Unique & Charming Flowers: Features distinctive, intricate "pincushion" flower heads with a domed center and frilly outer petals, adding unique texture and form to the garden.
- Exceptionally Long Bloom Time: Many perennial varieties, especially S. columbaria types, bloom profusely from late spring or early summer often until frost if consistently deadheaded. This provides outstanding flower power.
- Pollinator Paradise: Highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. A must-have for pollinator gardens.
- Excellent Cut Flowers: The flowers are held on long, wiry stems that are perfect for cutting and adding a whimsical touch to bouquets. Cutting encourages more blooms.
- Variety of Colors: Available in shades of blue, lavender, lilac, pink, white, deep burgundy (annuals), and creamy yellow (S. ochroleuca).
- Generally Easy Care: In the right conditions (good drainage is key!), they are relatively low-maintenance plants.
- Deer Resistant: Generally avoided by deer due to foliage texture or scent.
(Remember to verify needs for your specific variety)
- Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours of direct sun per day) is generally best for optimal flowering and sturdy growth. In very hot climates (Zones 7b-9), they can benefit from light afternoon shade to reduce stress during peak summer heat.
- Soil: Absolutely essential: Excellent drainage. Pincushion flowers rot easily in heavy, wet, or waterlogged soil, especially during winter. They prefer average to fertile soil and often thrive in neutral to slightly alkaline conditions (unlike many other perennials that prefer acidic soil). Amend heavy clay soils with plenty of compost and potentially grit or coarse sand to improve drainage dramatically. If your soil is acidic, adding lime according to soil test recommendations can be beneficial.
- Planting Time: Plant in spring after the danger of frost has passed, or in early fall (allowing at least 4-6 weeks for establishment before the ground freezes or extreme winter weather).
- Spacing: Space plants about 12-18 inches apart, depending on the variety's mature size. Good air circulation helps prevent fungal diseases.
- Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to help roots establish. Once established, they have moderate drought tolerance but bloom much better with consistent moisture during the growing season. Allow the top inch or so of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid keeping the soil constantly saturated.
- Fertilizing: Scabiosa are typically light feeders. Excessive fertilizer can lead to lush foliage, fewer flowers, and weak stems. Amending the soil with compost at planting is usually adequate. If growth seems poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can be used.
- Pruning and Maintenance: Crucial for continuous bloom: Deadhead spent flowers regularly by snipping the stem off near the base of the plant (basal foliage). This prevents seed formation and strongly encourages the plant to produce more flower stalks. Keep the basal foliage tidy by removing any yellowed or dead leaves. Cut back any remaining old flower stems in early spring.
- Pests and Diseases: Relatively trouble-free when happy.
- Root Rot: The main issue, caused by poor drainage. Prevention is key.
- Powdery Mildew: Can occur in humid conditions or if plants are overcrowded. Ensure good air circulation.
- Aphids may occasionally appear but are rarely a major problem.
- Hardiness & Winter Care:
- Hardiness varies: Scabiosa caucasica is generally hardier, often rated for Zones 3/4 to 7/8. Scabiosa columbaria cultivars ('Butterfly Blue', 'Pink Mist') are often rated for Zones 5-9, but can be short-lived perennials, especially at the cold end (Zone 5 without good snow cover/drainage) or the hot/humid end (Zone 9) if drainage is not perfect.
- Winter wetness is the biggest enemy. Ensure superb drainage year-round.
- In the coldest zones (3-4), applying a light layer of loose mulch (like pine needles or shredded leaves) after the ground freezes can provide some winter protection. Remove mulch promptly in spring.
- Other Scabiosa Types: Annual pincushion flowers (Scabiosa atropurpurea) offer taller stems and often richer colors (like deep burgundy). They are easily grown from seed each year and are excellent for cutting gardens.
In summary: Scabiosa offers delightful, long-lasting blooms and attracts pollinators, but success hinges on providing excellent soil drainage and committing to regular deadheading. Choose varieties suited to your hardiness zone, paying particular attention to drainage, especially in winter. Always check the specific requirements for the Scabiosa variety you purchase.
Scabiosa (skay-bee-oh-suh) scabious, morning bride, pincushion flower; Dipsacaceae Family. Mostly hardy perennials, Scabiosa comes in shades of white, pink, yellow, blue, and very dark reds and purples. Last well when cut, is easily grown in ordinary garden soil and full sun.
Scabiosa's, Pincushion Flower nickname comes from its outer ring of frilly, flat, petals and a paler domed center cushion with protruding stamens, similar to pins in a pincushion.
Plant is easy to grow in average, medium, well-drained soil; however it is intolerant of wet soils, especially in winter. A light mulch and regular water during summer will improve performance. Performs best in full sun; it does tolerate part shade, particularly in hot summer zones.