Caucasian Pincushion Flower
Caucasian pincushion flower is a perennial plant grown for its long season of blue flowers. The flower stalks rise well above the foliage and hold a single, large, blue, pincushion-like set of florets. The florets around the outside have long, frilly petals while the florets on the inside resemble a pincushion.
Its green-grey leaves grow as a clump. It is an easy-to-grow, adaptable plant.
Caucasian Pincushion Flower
Caucasian pincushion flower is a perennial plant grown for its long season of blue flowers. The flower stalks rise well above the foliage and hold a single, large, blue, pincushion-like set of florets. The florets around the outside have long, frilly petals while the florets on the inside resemble a pincushion.
Its green-grey leaves grow as a clump. It is an easy-to-grow, adaptable plant.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Scabiosa caucasica
Pronunciation
skab-ee-OH-suh kaw-KAS-ee-kuh
Mature Height
18 to 24 in.
Mature Spread
12 to 18 in.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
blue
Bloom time
summer
Colorado Native
No
Natural Habitat
Caucasus, northeastern Turkey, northern Iran
Light Requirements
sun, part shade
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 3-7
Elevation Limit
hardy to 8,000 ft.
Performance
Caucasian pincushion flower has performed very well in the moderate water zone at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. The flowers are a very pretty light blue. It produces flowers over a long period of time.
Maintenance
Remove spent flowers to encourage further blooms. In fall or early spring, cut old stems and leaves to the ground.
See in a landscape
The owners of this landscape are in the process of shrinking the bluegrass and replacing it with plants better suited for Colorado. The front yard of this north Colorado Springs residence has been modified by renovating the parkway to feature a small tree, a couple shrubs and flowering perennials that give instant curb appeal. The backyard is in process with an end goal of shrinking the turfgrass area and creating large planting beds along the perimeter of the yard that will feature xeric plants. This is a great example of working in phases and thinking through the project a little bit at a time.