Species pincushion flower
light-purple flowers with white-purple stamens, green leaves and stems

pincushion flower

Scabiosa 'Giant Blue'

The pincushion flower, Scabiosa 'Giant Blue', is an eye-catching annual with spherical blooms of brilliant blue on tall, strong stems. The long-lasting flowers attract beneficial pollinators, like bees and butterflies, to your garden. Sprawling foliage forms a lush, dense mat that invigorates planting beds and borders. This easy-to-grow plant thrives in sunny locations and prefers a well-drained soil with average moisture. Scabiosa 'Giant Blue' works well on its own or as a companion to other flowering perennials for a showy display.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 7

Flowers:

Lavender-blue Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Pincushion flowers (Scabiosa 'Giant Blue') should be watered regularly to keep the soil lightly moist. Water the plants deeply, applying enough water to moisten the soil 6-8 inches deep. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out before watering again. In general, water every 1-2 weeks during the growing season and every 3-4 weeks during the winter months. Make sure the soil has adequate drainage as soggy soil can be detrimental to the growth of the plant.

sunlight

Pincushion flower (Scabiosa 'Giant Blue') prefers full sun in order to bloom and stay healthy. In order for the plant to get the right amount of sunlight, the perfect place to plant this species is in the garden in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day throughout the blooming season. The ideal time frame for the plant's exposure to sunlight is from mid-morning to late afternoon. It is important not to expose the plant to too much sunlight by planting it in an area that receives direct sunlight for more than 8 hours during the day as this can lead to leaf burn and wilting.

pruning

Pincushion flower (Scabiosa 'Giant Blue') should be pruned in mid- to late spring, when new growth begins to appear. Depending on weather conditions, 3-4 prunings per season may be necessary. Light to moderate pruning is recommended. Start by removing dead, damaged, and diseased branches. Then, thin out branches to allow light and air to reach the center of the plant. Deadheading may also help to promote new blooms. Reduce the length of some of the stems as needed. Cut back to just above a node (where a leaf joins the stem) to prevent any damage to the flowering buds. Be sure to use clean, sharp pruning shears to prevent any unwanted disease from spreading.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

The Scabiosa 'Giant Blue' pincushion flower typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

The Scabiosa 'Giant Blue' pincushion flower typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map