Butterfly Blue Pincushion Flower

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2 Feet

Mature Spread

2 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

The blooms of the Butterfly Blue Pincushion Flower are not very large, but they are unique and will steal the show. The lavender-blue flowers of the Scabiosa caucasica have broad outer petals that surround prominent stamens. The flowers have a full, rounded look and provide a textural element to a space. Enjoy the flowers from May through October. The blooms stand on top of wiry stems above gray-green basal foliage. The leaves are compact and provide a nice contrast against the stunning flowers.

Plant in beds or borders and make sure to trim some of the long-lasting flowers to feature in arrangements. Butterflies favor the lovely flowers, so try to plant them near a window or patio so you can enjoy the winged visitors. The Butterfly Blue Pincushion Flower is a hardy plant that grows as a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 8.

Butterfly Blue Pincushion Flower Care

The Butterfly Blue Pincushion Flower is easy to maintain, but make sure to plant in full sun. Soil should be rich, moist, and neutral to slightly alkaline. This beauty doesn't like wet feet, so the soil must promote drainage. Give the plant about one inch of water weekly, but increase the watering frequency during a drought. This plant is not a heavy feeder, so you can skip fertilizing altogether or apply a balanced fertilizer every couple of weeks during the blooming cycle.

Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Cut back greenery if the plant appears leggy. The Butterfly Blue Pincushion Flower is a herbaceous perennial so cut back growth in the late fall or early spring.

Butterfly Blue Pincushion Flower Spacing

This beauty will grow 20 to 24 inches tall and wide. Plants should be spaced 20 to 24 inches apart when creating a continuous planting.