Pincushion Flower plant profile
Scabiosa columbaria
A perennial flower for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Pincushion Flower
Pincushion flower is a long-blooming perennial best planted in spring, the standard window for hardy perennials. NC State notes it needs a full-sun site with good drainage and will not tolerate wet feet or excess moisture, especially in winter.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Pincushion Flower in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 5a to 9bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: flopping sprawling stems.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' (Pincushion Flower, Dove Pincushions)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.