Culture
Best grown in light, well-drained soils with a neutral pH in full sun. Good drainage is the key to growing this plant well. Tends to rot in wet, poorly drained soils. Particularly intolerant of wet soils in winter, and benefits from a light, dry winter mulch such as hay/straw or evergreen boughs. Also intolerant of high heat and humidity. Remove spent flowers to encourage additional bloom.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Scabiosa caucasica, commonly called pincushion flower, is, as suggested by the specific epithet, native to the Caucusus Mountains. It is a clump-forming perennial that typically grows 18-24" tall and blooms from late May to mid-summer. Flowers (2-3" diameter) are lavender to blue (occasionally white), with an outer ring of frilly petals and a center cushion with protruding stamens resembling pins in a pincushion. Flowers bloom singly on strong, stiff stems. Grayish-green foliage features lance-shaped, entire or pinnately-lobed basal leaves and narrow pinnately-lobed stem leaves.
The genus name Scabiosa comes from the Latin scabies meaning the itch in reference to the plant's rough leaves which could supposedly cure scurvy.
Specific epithet means of the Caucasus.
The Perfection Series of cultivars features plants with frilly outer petals. ‘Perfecta Blue’ or ‘Blue Perfection’ features outer petals of lilac blue. Plants sold as ‘Perfecta’ generally are the same as ‘Perfecta Blue’. ‘Perfecta Alba’ features outer petals of creamy white. Flowers bloom singly on strong, stiff stems from late May to late summer. Good fresh cut flower. Grayish-green foliage features entire, lance-shaped, basal leaves and pinnately-lobed stem leaves. The center cushions of these flowers have protruding stamens resembling pins in a pincushion, hence the common name.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Must have well-drained soil to thrive.
Uses
Borders, cottage gardens or cutting gardens.