Scabiosa columbaria occurs mostly in grasslands, rocky slopes and bushveld habitats, and it is widely distributed throughout South Africa and Lesotho and Swaziland. It is an evergreen, perennial herb with branches developing from a woody rootstock.
The family Caprifoliaceae contains the genus Scabiosa, as well as other ornamental flowers such as honeysuckle and weigela. Scabiosa flowers earned the nickname pincushion flower for the prominent stamens that emerge from the compact, round blooms like pins in a pincushion. Scabiosa plants form a low mound of foliage in a rosette shape, with medium green, serrated leaves. Healthy plants may produce 20 to 50 blooms, each held individually on thin stems. When in bloom, the plants average a foot in height. Mature plants are about a foot in diameter and three inches tall.
Their overall care is minimal, with exception to watering during unusually dry conditions, as rainfall is normally adequate in meeting their needs. Water once a week when there is no rain and twice a week during drought-like conditions.
Place your scabiosa plants in a site that receives full sun for best blooming; some afternoon shade is fine.
These plants prefer require well-draining, organic-rich soil. The addition of compost, well rotted manure or peat moss will help enrich the soil. Raised beds are necessary for gardeners with heavy or boggy soils.
Pincushion flowers are light feeders; a bimonthly feeding with a balanced flower fertilizer during the growing season will keep the flowers coming.
The plant prefers temperatures below 100°F. The minimum temperature it can withstand is 20°F to 25° F.
