How to Grow and Care for Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)

Scabiosa, also known as pincushion flowers, are easy-to-grow short-lived perennial flowers that come in various hues, are button-like in shape, with petals that flutter in the breeze. Scabiosa grows best in moderate temperatures or in some shade if you live in a hot climate with harsh afternoon sun. This flower is not necessarily fussy about the type of soil but it must be very well-draining for the plant to thrive.

Scabiosa Care

Here are the basic requirements for successfully growing scabiosa.

• Plant in full sunlight or partial shade if you live in a very hot climate.
• Ensure the soil is moist but very well-draining or they will suffer after the first season.
• Regularly water young flowers and pull back watering as they mature.
  

Light

Plant your scabiosa in a spot that has six to eight hours worth of sunlight each day. Typically, this means a location that boasts full sun, but some partial afternoon shade is fine, too, especially if you're growing the blooms in a particularly hot summer climate. They will not do well when planted in a shady spot.

Soil

Scabiosa plants like soil that is moist but well-draining. They can fool you by blooming happily in clay soil for one season, but wet soils during their dormancy will turn your carefree perennial into an annual. If your landscape has heavy or boggy soil, you're better off growing your scabiosa in raised beds. Additionally, the blooms are not particular about their soil pH and can thrive in a mixture that is neutral or slightly alkaline.

Water

Provide your scabiosa flowers with at least an inch of water weekly when they're young and establishing their root systems. After that, the plants can tolerate brief periods of drought. Keep in mind, the hotter your weather, the more water they will need, so their tolerance for drought goes way down in the heat of the summer.

Temperature and Humidity

Scabiosa blooms grow best in the moderate temperatures of spring, early summer, and early fall. They dislike being hot or humid but can handle peak summer heat better if planted in a partially shady spot.

Fertilizer

Pincushion flowers are light feeders and can do well without being treated with fertilizer. That said, if you want to give your plants an extra boost (and up your chances of bountiful blooms), you can feed your scabiosa bimonthly with a balanced flower fertilizer during their growing season.

Types of Scabiosa

Several different varietals of scabiosa plants are available with different colors and appearance. Some of the most popular varieties include:

• 'Black Knight': This type features burgundy flowers with prominent white stamens.
• 'Butterfly Blue': A popular wedding varietal, the flowers of this type are more lavender than true blue.
• 'Fama White': The varietal thrives in cooler weather and produces larger, white flowers.
• 'Pink Mist': This graceful varietal has pink and near-translucent flowers.

Propagating Scabiosa

Scabiosa plants can be propagated via division every two to three years, depending on how large your parent plant grows. Division is a great way to keep growth under control, tame unruly plants, and help with overcrowding.

To propagate scabiosa, take these easy steps:

1. Divide the plant in early spring, separating several of the stronger, healthier stems for propagation.
2. Plant them in your desired location, in an environment that closely mirrors that from which they came.
3. Water gently and frequently until the plant becomes established—you should see growth from strong divisions within the first year.

How to Grow Scabiosa From Seed

Scabiosa is also easily grown from seeds indoors or outdoors. Take these steps:

1. Sow seeds indoors between four and six weeks before the last spring frost in your area.
2. Sow evenly and cover with a thin 1/4 inch of potting soil.
3. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost or directly sow in the ground after the last frost.

Potting and Repotting Scabiosa

Scabiosa can grow well in pots if they are kept outdoors in full sun. They may need staking in the container if they begin to flop. The container needs to be large, around 12 inches in diameter, and with numerous drainage holes. Fill the pot with a regular but rich potting mix. Water and feed the plant regularly but watch out for soggy soil.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Though not typical, your scabiosa may become afflicted with many types of common garden pests, such as aphids, slugs, spider mites, and thrips. If you notice any insects on your plant (or telltale signs, like chewed leaves), treat plants with a mild insecticide or natural solution such as neem oil.

Scabiosa is sensitive to moisture and humidity so the plant may be susceptible to fungal issues like leaf spot, root rot, or powdery mildew. Plant your flowers in well-draining soil to reduce these problems. Also, water the plant at its base (where the stems meet the soil) so you don't put too much moisture into the dense mass of stems.

How to Get Scabiosa to Bloom

Bloom Months

Scabiosa blooms from spring until frost, with the heaviest blooming period occurring in May.

What Do Scabiosa Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Scabiosa gets its other common name, pincushion flower because the prominent stamens emerging from the compact, round centers look like pincushions filled with needles. Scabiosa plants form a low mound of foliage, and healthy plants may produce 20 to 50 fragrant blooms, each held individually on thin stems.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Scabiosa needs a lot of sun. You will notice a reduction in blooms and buds if the plant isn't getting enough light. Sometimes only foliage will grow without flowering if a fertilizer is too high in nitrogen or if the plants are fed too often.

Deadheading Scabiosa Flowers

Deadheading is laborious on plants with so many small flowers on individual stems. To encourage a new flush of blooms in early fall, you can shear the plant in midsummer when the blossom output is low.

Common Issues With Scabiosa

Scabiosa plants are exceedingly easy to care for as long as you provide enough light and well-draining soil. However, as with all plants, look out for some signs of stress.

Stems That Flop

The flower's long, thin stalky stems may need staking to keep them growing upright.

Not Blooming

Scabiosa that do not bloom usually need more sun and less fertilizer.

Won't Grow Back

Even if you have reliable scabiosa that would grow back yearly, they may turn into annuals and not show up again. If this happens, there may have been a temperature change or other issue that affected the plants. Some scabiosa are more vigorous than others that die out sooner.