Grow eye-catching pincushion flower in your garden to bring in an abundance of beautiful butterflies — and hummingbirds, too.
Pincushion Flower Identification
“I saw this beautiful flower (above) while visiting my son in Vermont. What is the name of it?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Samantha Bisceglia of Sarasota, Florida.
Horticultural expert Melinda Myers says, “A close look at the blossom explains its common name, pincushion flower. This beautiful perennial is native to Europe and hardy in Zones 3 to 7. It grows best in full sun, well-draining soil and cool summer temperatures, unlike those in your home state.
Mulching with shredded leaves or other organic material helps keep the roots cool and moist. Remove faded flowers to keep it blooming, and cut a few blossoms to enjoy in a bouquet.”
Common name: Pincushion flower
Scientific name: Scabiosa spp.
Growing zones: 3 to 7
Light needs: Full sun to part shade (in warmer southern climates)
Size: 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall and wide
Benefits of Growing Pincushion Flower
Pincushion flowers, like the cultivar ‘Butterfly Blue’ are super attractive to nectar-loving butterflies. Even better, hummingbirds love to feed on pincushion flowers, too. Lavender blue blooms rise up on 12- to 15-inch wiry stems and linger from midsummer to frost.
Make sure to grow this plant in well-draining soil, since it doesn’t do well with excessive moisture. Deadhead it to encourage blooming, or leave spent blossoms for seed-eating birds. Cut back plants in the fall.
Gardeners can also choose from a variety of other flower colors, including pink, orange, white, red, and purple. Some species of scabiosa will bloom from spring until the first frost.
Pincushion Flower Pests
Experts recommend keeping an eye out for aphids or mites, but pincushion flower is resistant to many common challenges, including deer and rabbits.
About the Expert
Melinda Myers is the official gardening expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Sources
- Missouri Botanical Garden, “Scabiosa ‘Butterfly Blue’“
- North Carolina State Extension, “Scabiosa atropurpurea“
- Walters Gardens, “Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’“
