Home Sitemap Site Index Contact About Us Back To Perennial Index
|
|
Home Sitemap Site Index Contact About Us Back To Perennial Index |
Scabiosa - Pincushion Flower - A Perennial Flower For Your Garden © 2007Visit Our Online Store.For Perennials and Perennial Seed |
|
Scabiosa Scabiosa caucasica Dipsacaceae Family - Teasel Pincushion Flower Hardy to USDA Zone 4 Full sun The species name originates from the belief among ancient peoples that it could cure scabies, the genus name because the plant’s original home is in the Caucasus Mountains. It was introduced to European cultivation in 1803. It was given the common name Pincushion Flower because of the perceived resemblance to a velvet pincushion. It was also called Mournful Widow because the dark purple color signified death. Scabiosa requires full sun, especially in the northwest and north. In the southeast it may need part sun. Pincushion flower is not a heavy bloomer, so if your goal is a big show of color you will need to plant several in a clump, or choose some other perennial flower. Scabiosa is pretty and unusual, so it has a permanent home in my flower garden. It seems to be problem free in my southeastern Indiana garden. No bug or diseases afflict it, and the butterflies seem to enjoy it. |
|
Scabiosa grows to about a foot high and the blossoms are about two inches in
diameter. It is propogated by seed or division. I like to divide the plants in mid
to late fall when there is adequate rainfall in our area to give the plants a good
start before winter sets in. Seed in the greenhouse about six to eight weeks before
the last frost in the spring. The plants needn’t be divided often, every three years
is adequate. Flower time is from mid summer to early fall. Though there are not a lot
of flowers visible at any one time, it will flower over a fairly long period. Some good varieties Alba Very similar to the wild species, Caucasus, but with white flowers Fama This scabiosa grows a bit taller, about twenty inches tall and makes a good cut flower. It has blue flowers. Salmon Queen This Pincushion Flower is fragrant and tall growing to thirty six inches tall. The flowers are a rich salmon/pink color. |
