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Scabiosa atropurpurea (Pincushion flower)

Other names: Sweet scabious, Egyptian rose, Grandmother's pincushion, Mournful widow, Mourning bride, Widow's flower, Pincushions

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Species
S. atropurpurea is an erect, branching annual or short-lived perennial with oblong to spoon-shaped, toothed, mid-green leaves and fragrant, dark purple to lilac flower heads in summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
0.9 m 0.25 m 2-5 years
2 ft 0 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Protect from wet, winter conditions. May be evergreen in warmer areas and die back in winter in colder climates. Divide every 2-3 years to maintain vigour.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife, Meadow

UK hardiness

H4

USDA zones

Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2, 1, 2, 3

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Moderate/Medium
Central Valley = Moderate/Medium
South Coastal = Moderate/Medium
South Inland = Moderate/Medium
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Semi-evergreen

Habit

Erect, Branching

Native to

Mediterranean

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Dead head regularly. Cut back after flowering to maintain a compact habit.

Propagation methods

Seed, Division

Propagation

Sow seeds in a cold frame as soon as ripe or in spring.

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Generally disease free. Resistant to cucumber mosaic virus.

Cut back after flowering in early autumn (optional)

Deadhead regularly (optional)

Divide and replant in spring

Check for waterlogging during winter (optional)

Plant container grown plants in moderately fertile, well-drained soil

Take basal cuttings

Plant container grown plants in a sunny postion

Plant in neutral to alkaline soil (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Prepare a weed-free, annual meadow seed bed

Sow annual meadow seed in an open, sunny position in spring

Weed annual meadows.

Clear away dead annual meadow plants (optional).

Remove annual meadow plants.

Sow seed in an established annual meadow.

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (77)

Scabiosa

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Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Ebony and Ivory'
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Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Ebony and Ivory' Scabiosa 'Ebony and Ivory'
Scabiosa columbaria
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Scabiosa columbaria Small scabious
Scabiosa caucasica 'Perfecta Blue'
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Scabiosa caucasica 'Perfecta Blue' Caucasian scabious 'Perfecta Blue'
Scabiosa africana 'Jocelyn'
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Scabiosa africana 'Jocelyn' Scabious 'Jocelyn'
Scabiosa lucida
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Scabiosa lucida Pincushion Lucida
Scabiosa columbaria subsp. ochroleuca
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Scabiosa columbaria subsp. ochroleuca Pale yellow scabious
Scabiosa africana 'Burgundy Bonnets'
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Scabiosa africana 'Burgundy Bonnets' Scabious 'Burgundy Bonnets'
Scabiosa columbaria 'Pink Mist'
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Scabiosa columbaria 'Pink Mist' Small scabious 'Pink Mist'
Scabiosa caucasica 'Perfecta Alba'
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Scabiosa caucasica 'Perfecta Alba' Caucasian scabious 'Perfecta Alba'
Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Oxford Blue'
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Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Oxford Blue' Pincushion flower 'Oxford Blue'
Scabiosa japonica 'Ritz Blue'
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Scabiosa japonica 'Ritz Blue' Pincushion flower 'Ritz Blue'
Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Chile Sauce'
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Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Chile Sauce' Pincushion flower 'Chile Sauce'
Scabiosa stellata 'Paper Moon'
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Scabiosa stellata 'Paper Moon' Starflower pincushion 'Paper Moon'
Scabiosa columbaria Pincushion Series
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Scabiosa columbaria Pincushion Series Small scabious Pincushion Series
Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Summer Berries'
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Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Summer Berries' Pincushion flower 'Summer Berries'
Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue'
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Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue' Pincushion flower 'Butterfly Blue'
Scabiosa japonica 'Blue Diamonds'
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Scabiosa japonica 'Blue Diamonds' Pincushion 'Blue Diamonds'
Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Chile Black'
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Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Chile Black' Pincushion flower 'Chile Black'
Scabiosa cretica
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Scabiosa cretica Balearic pincushion flower
Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Ace of Spades'
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Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Ace of Spades' Pincushion flower 'Ace of Spades'
Scabiosa columbaria 'Nana'
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Scabiosa columbaria 'Nana' Small scabious 'Nana'
Scabiosa columbaria 'Nana Pink'
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Scabiosa columbaria 'Nana Pink' Small scabious 'Nana Pink'
Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Chat Noir'
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Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Chat Noir' Pincushion flower 'Chat Noir'
Scabiosa 'Barocca'
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Scabiosa 'Barocca' Pincushion flower 'Barocca'
Scabiosa caucasica 'Miss Willmott'
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Scabiosa caucasica 'Miss Willmott' Caucasian scabious 'Miss Willmott'
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