Pronounciation: Sca-bee-O-sa col-um-BAR-ee-a

Hardiness zones
Sunset 2-11, 14-24 as perennial, 12 and 13 as winter annual
USDA 5-11

Landscape Use: This is a flowering accent plant for winter color in landscape flower borders.

Form & Character: Stiffly sprawling and upright, though not unruly.

Growth Habit: Evergreen, herbaceous perennial grown as a cool-season annual in Phoenix, medium growth rate to 2-feet tall 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-inches 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: Flowers during late winter to spring.

Temperature: Intolerant of temperatures above 95^oF.

Light: Full sun

Soil: Tolerant

Watering: Generally needs regular garden water in Phoenix.

Pruning: None, except to remove spent flower stalks if you're feeling fidgety and are just wanting something to do.

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.