Small yet magnificent blossoms also have their place in the landscape, although big flowers like dahlias and sunflowers can be attention-hogs in the flower garden. Scabiosa sometimes referred to as the pincushion flower, is one of the most lovely and fascinating little flowers that gardeners can grow. The perennial flower, which is native to Europe, is simple to successfully grow and comes in a range of lovely colors.
What is Pincushion Flower?
Scabiosa plants are quite simple to take care of as long as you give them enough light and soil that drains effectively. The scabiosa plants will behave as short-lived resistant perennials in hardiness zones 5 through 9 under optimal growing conditions. They will bloom from springtime until frost, with May being the month with the most blooms.
Here are some brief facts about the popular aesthetic plant:
- Latin name: Scabiosa
- Other names: Scabiosa, pincushion, scabious
- Native to: Europe
- Invasiveness: No
- Tenderness: Herbaceous perennial
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: Average
- Soil: Moist but well-drained
- Hardiness zone: 3–7
- When to plant: Early spring
- Spacing: 12-18 inches
- Plant height: 8 to 12 inches
- Bloom period: Summer, early fall
- Time to maturity: 90 to 100 days
- Container friendly: Yes
- Fertilizer: Balanced
- Toxicity: No
- Drought tolerant: Yes
- Deer resistant: Yes
- Pest resistant: No
How to grow Pincushion Flower
Scabiosa should be planted in an area with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Normally, this means a location with full sun, but if you are growing the blooms in an area with particularly hot summers, some afternoon shade is acceptable as well. When placed in a shaded area, they will not thrive, and if they do not receive enough light, their blooms and buds will decrease.
Scabiosa plants prefer moist, well-draining soil. They can trick you by flowering cheerfully in soft clay for one season, but damp conditions during their dormancy will change your easygoing perennial into an annual.
You should plant your scabiosa in garden beds if the soil in your garden is heavy or soggy. Furthermore, the blooms don’t care about the soil’s pH and can survive in a neutral or slightly alkaline mixture.
When your scabiosa blooms are young and developing their root systems, give them at least an inch of water each week. Following that, the plants may survive brief droughts. Remember that they require more water in hotter climates, therefore in the sweltering summer months, they are much less tolerant of drought.
The ideal temperature range for scabiosa flowers is from spring through early summer and early fall. Although they detest heat and humidity, if they are in a partially shaded area during the height of summer, they will fare better. Ultimately, your scabiosa should grow successfully if planted in the appropriate USDA hardiness zones.
Pincushion flowers require little water and can thrive without fertilizer. However, you can supplement your scabiosa fortnightly with a mixed flower fertilizer throughout their growing season to give them a boost (and increase your chances of getting many flowers).
Growing Pincushion Flower in containers
The Pincushion Flower can be grown in containers or beds and borders. With the exception of watering during exceptionally dry spells, they require little overall care because rainfall typically suffices to meet their requirements. When there is no rain, water once per week, and twice every week when there is a drought. Pincushion flowers can grow in a variety of soil types and with little to no fertilizer if the conditions are right. However, maintaining pincushion plants does require some maintenance.
When to start Pincushion Flower seeds
Depending on how big your Pincushion Flower parent plant is developing, you can divide scabiosa plants every 2 to 3 years. A fantastic technique to manage growth, tame wild plants, and alleviate overcrowding is division. Perennial plants can be multiplied through division and seed.
When to plant the Pincushion Flower
Scabiosa blossoms grow slowly and mature in 90 to 100 days, making it best to sow them in the early spring (or inside in colder climates). The outcome is a profusion of button-like flowers on wiry stems that sway in the wind.
How to collect Pincushion Flower seeds
You can collect the Egyptian star flower’s seeds to start new plants by letting the bush’s waning leaves remain there until the seed has formed.
While the seeds are still on the plant, let them dry. Ensure the plant from which you are collecting the seeds has reached a mature height of one to two feet at the very least.
Wildlife attracted by the Pincushion Flower
Scabiosa blooms are not only visually appealing and unusual, but they also attract helpful pollinators to the garden, such as bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Common problems
Even though it’s uncommon, your scabiosa could contract a range of common garden pests like aphids, snails, spider mites, and aphids. You could treat your crops with a gentle insecticide or a natural remedy like neem oil if you notice any insects on them (or telltale signs, like chewed leaves).
Most scabiosa plant diseases are thought to result from excessive wetness or humidity. Plant your flowers in a location with well-draining soil to prevent problems like leaf spots, root rot, or powdery mildew. In order to avoid overwatering the thick mass of stems, you should also water the shrub at its base (close to where the stalk meets the earth).
How to deadhead Pincushion Flower
Deadheading is a horticultural activity that must be done routinely throughout the growing season. Deadheading is simply removing spent or dead flowers from plants that are still alive. It benefits your plants and gives you additional flowers. Keeping the flowers deadheaded will increase their likelihood of repeat blooming. Because plants with so many tiny flowers on individual stalks are tedious to deadhead, you can trim the plant in summer when the flower output is low to promote a fresh round of blooms in early fall.
