About
Scabiosa cretica, the Cretan pincushion flower, is a compact, clump-forming perennial to 45 cm forming a mound of oval to lance-shaped, silvery-green foliage with upright, slender, white-woolly stems bearing pincushion-like, lavender flowerheads in late spring and early summer, followed by attractive spherical seedheads. A beautiful and rewarding plant for a sunny, very well-drained border.
About the genus
Scabiosa, the pincushion flowers, are annuals, biennials and herbaceous or evergreen perennials with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and characteristic flowerheads with enlarged outer florets in blue, white, pink, yellow or purple. Popular plants for sunny, well-drained borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toBaleares, Sicilia, Italy
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun and well-drained soil
PruningNo pruning required, but can deadhead to prolong flowering, and cut stems to ground level in late winter
PropagationPropagate by seed, by division or by basal semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free