How to Grow Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa atropurpurea)

Valued for its excellent cut flowers, this annual (grows just one year) will stay fresh in an arrangement for up to three weeks. Blooming in white, pink, or purple, it grows 2- to 3-feet high. It's also sometimes called sweet scabious or mourning bride.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Garden Spades
• Mulch
• Plants

1. Buy healthy, green plants with no signs of wilting or disease. Plants should be stocky with plenty of leaves. It's a plus if they don't have any flowers so that early energy will be diverted into root development.

2. 

   Choose a site that has full sun to light shade. Pincushion flower thrives in average, well-drained soil.

3. 

   Plant seedlings outdoors 10- to 12-inches apart, or according to label directions, after your region's last frost date in spring.

4. 

   Keep soil evenly moist; mulch is a good idea.

5. Trim faded flowers to promote longer bloom.

6. Fertilize every four to six weeks, or work in a slow-release fertilizer at planting time.

7. Discard plant after frost fells it in the fall.

Tips & Warnings

• The perennial version of pincushion flower is more readily available than the annual, so be careful not to confuse the two.