160 Seeds

Grow Pincushion flowers from fresh Scabiosa atropurpurea flower seeds. Pincushion will produce a variety of colorful blooms from rose, pink, maroon, white & lavender. The plants themselves will reach a height of about 30 to 40 inches tall and make an excellent cut flower. Grown as an annual plant, Scabiosa atropurpurea, or “Pincushion” will grow quickly, bloom profusely and die with the first frost.

The flowers of Pincushion are fragrant and smell very sweet. The colors and fragrance are known to attract an array of beneficial insects to your garden including bumblebees, butterflies, hummingbirds & ladybugs as well. Pincushion flower seeds are easily sown indoors and directly outdoors, and the plants are fairly easy to maintain once established.

Pincushion flowers are seen in natural settings and can be used in borders, flower beds and as stated above, as a cut flower for bouquets & vases. Dead heading will prolong the amount of time in which your Pincushion flowers will bloom. Collect Scabiosa atropurpurea seeds at the end of the season to regrow the following year, or allow the seeds to drop to the bare ground beneath.

Quick Facts

• Type: Flower
• Color: Mixture
• Height: 30" - 40" Tall
• Width: 12" - 18" Spread
• Season: Annual
• Zones: 3 to 8
• Environment: Full sun

Sowing The Seed

Pincushion flower seeds can be started directly outdoors, or started indoors 8 to 10 weeks prior to the last frost. If started indoors, sow in peat pots in an area of direct light for successful germination. You should sow your Pincushion seeds directly to the surface of your sowing area, simply pressing them into the soil to keep them in place. Once seedlings are established and grow a few inches tall, transplant your Pincushion plants directly into the garden when the weather is warm.

If sowing directly outdoors, make sure all danger of frost has passed. Clear all unwanted plant life and/or weeds from your sowing area. Turn the soil, or replace the soil with a well draining compost mixture. Follow the same steps as above, distributing the Pincushion flower seeds to the surface of the soil and lightly pressing them into the earth so that they are still visible and can be reached by direct light.

Water, Soil & Sunlight Preferences

Scabiosa atropurpurea flower seeds will require an area of full sunlight for the majority of the day and will sprout successfully in temperatures of at least 70F. The soil should be rich, but also well draining. If your sowing area consists of hard compact soil, try mixing in a light compost mixture to improve drainage. Water the flower seeds daily so that the soil is kept moist until germination occurs.

Germination & Growth

Pincushion flower seeds will begin to germinate within roughly 14 to 28 days after sowing. The plants will grow to a mature height of 30 to 40 inches tall and can be spaced roughly 12 to 18 inches apart from one another. The flowers come in a range of colors and will make an excellent cut flower.