Hardiness zones
Sunset 2-11, 14-24 as perennial, 12 and 13 as winter annual
USDA 5 to 11
Landscape Use: This is a flowering accent plant for winter color in landscape flower borders.
Form & Character: Stiffly sprawling and upright
Growth Habit: Evergreen perennial treated as a winter annual in Phoenix, medium growth rate to 2' with equal spread.
Foliage/Texture: Pincushion flower foliage is glaucous, basal leaves oblanceolate or obovate to lyrate, stems leaves pinnately cut; medium texture.
Flowers & Fruits: Flowers are borne on long stalks, blue pink or white to 1.5" across, involucrate (flowers subtended by receptacular bracts), stamens extending above curved surface of flower head giving impression of pincushion; fruit an achene, crowned with a persistent calyx.
Seasonal Color: Late winter to spring flower color.
Temperature: Prefers temperatures below 100oF.
Light: Full sun
Soil: Tolerant
Watering: Regular, some drought
Pruning: None except to remove spent flower stalks.
Propagation: Seed
Disease and pests: Powdery mildew in areas of poor air circulation.
Additional comments: Scabiosa contains over 80 species. 'Butterfly Blue' and 'Pink Mist' are superior cultivars. Blooms all year in mild climate areas but is only occasionally seen in Phoenix gardens.