Scabiosa Species, Dove Pincushion, Pigeon Scabious, Pincushion Flower, Small Scabious

Scabiosacolumbaria

Family
Caprifoliaceae (cap-ree-foh-lee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Scabiosa (skab-ee-OH-suh)
Species
columbaria (kol-um-BAR-ee-uh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
Pink
Blue-Violet
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Birmingham, Alabama

Moody, Alabama

Palmer, Alaska

Chandler, Arizona(2 reports)

Tucson, Arizona

Citrus Heights, California

Concord, California

Corning, California

Diamond Bar, California

Glen Avon, California

Grass Valley, California

Merced, California

Ontario, California

Pedley, California

Rubidoux, California

Sacramento, California

Sunnyslope, California

Waterford, California

Meriden, Connecticut

Torrington, Connecticut

Milford, Delaware

Hailey, Idaho

Chicago, Illinois

Itasca, Illinois

Mount Prospect, Illinois

Peru, Indiana

Barbourville, Kentucky

New Iberia, Louisiana

Derwood, Maryland

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Caro, Michigan

Isle, Minnesota

Kasota, Minnesota

Stockett, Montana

Munsonville, New Hampshire

Warren, New Jersey

Kirtland, New Mexico

Riverhead, New York

Sand Lake, New York

Cary, North Carolina

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Waxhaw, North Carolina

Berea, Ohio

Lima, Ohio

Glenolden, Pennsylvania

Summerville, South Carolina

Arlington, Texas(2 reports)

Austin, Texas

Cleburne, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Jacksonville, Texas

Katy, Texas

Los Fresnos, Texas

Port Lavaca, Texas

Rio Hondo, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Yantis, Texas

Salt Lake City, Utah

East Barre, Vermont

Port Townsend, Washington(2 reports)

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Gardener's Notes:

12
positives
6
neutrals
2
negatives
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R
Riverhead, NY | April 2015 | positive

Deer resistant is another important plus for this perennial. It does fine in my very sandy soil with dappled light/part shade. It is on...Read More

W
Mountain Village, CO | June 2012 | neutral

The ones I planted two year ago grow a few leaves every summer but never grow much or bloom despite compost, fertilizer, etc. The new on...Read More

S
Waterford, CA | May 2012 | positive

I love this plant and the butterflies do too! The flowers are beautiful and It returns each spring. Zone 9 Cali

W
Petersburg, VA | May 2011 | positive

In my Zone 7A, Petersburg, Virginia garden, the Scabiosa columbaria have thrived in a sunny location. When I read the accounts by other ...Read More

R
R
Riverside, CA (Zone 9b) | January 2010 | positive

Have planted 3. 2 in full sun & 1 in part shade. The 2 in full sun bloom on and on and are beautiful year around. The 1 in part shade ...Read More

C
Waxhaw, NC | June 2009 | positive

I planted the in a bed under an oak tree, poor soil,though I did ammend it with compost. It has been blooming wonderfully, a little work...Read More

J
Peru, IN | February 2008 | positive

I planted this on the north side of my home in a partly shady area this past summer. It did absolutely fantastic. I really enjoyed watc...Read More

K
Duncan, OK | January 2008 | negative

I have planted them several times, pink, blue and white. I got leggy plants with very few blooms in spite of the fact that I followed th...Read More

P
Ocean Park, Surrey, BC (Zone 6b) | May 2007 | positive

I live in Surrey, B.C. Canada (Zone 4a) and also love this plant for its unusual flower and ease of growing. It is in a raised bed facin...Read More

N
Hailey, ID | May 2007 | negative

Although pretty early in the season, this plant has proven over the years to reseed freely and become invasive. It also develops powdery...Read More

A
Warsaw, MO | June 2005 | neutral

I have the yellow/off white that is reseeded after 1 year (planted June 18, 2004) but very slow growing. It is just now starting to bloo...Read More

A
Austin, TX (Zone 8b) | January 2005 | positive

the plants in my garden have been there three years and they never seem to stop blooming! I'm a beginner gardener-my mother planted them...Read More

L
Meriden, CT | January 2005 | positive

I also love the black color and was crushed when I found the plant at a nursery last year, only to be told it was not for sale ,just for ...Read More

A
Anchorage, AK (Zone 4a) | August 2004 | positive

i live in anchorage ak and have 3 plants they have all done well here they like sun and compost. i am very happy to have them it got down...Read More

L
Glenolden, PA | April 2004 | positive

I first planted pincushion flowers 3 years ago - blue, pink yellow and white. Only the white survived, but it grows like a weed in my zon...Read More

S
Sacramento, CA (Zone 9a) | April 2004 | neutral

I planted this plant with the hopes of using it as a cut flower. Unfortunately, the stems are quite short so it was not very useful for ...Read More

H
H
San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) | April 2004 | neutral

San Antonio, Tx.
The pibcushion plants I planted last year in the ground did not perform well for me. They became very floppy, dev...Read More

M
Bloomfield Hills, MI | April 2004 | positive

I planted the scabiosa last spring and it performed very well; as soon as I pinched off old flowers, new ones appeared.
It bloomed...Read More

E
Memphis, TN (Zone 7b) | April 2003 | neutral

I love these plants, but my soil is heavy clay. They tolerate it, but don't seem to like it much. I have gone to the trouble of digging...Read More

D
D
| March 2001 | neutral

Introduced into Britain in 1591, the centers resemble a pincushion before opening hence the name Pincushion Flower.

The P...Read More

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