Scabiosa cretica

RHS Plant Profile
Cretian pincushion flower

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Cretian pincushion flower John Fielding

Other common names

Balearic pincushion flower

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

A compact, clump-forming perennial to 45cm tall, 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 that are followed by attractive, spherical seedheads

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Scabiosa can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous or evergreen perennials, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and characteristic flower-heads with enlarged outer florets
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Baleares, Sicilia, Italy

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun and well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by division or by basal semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Rock garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required, but can deadhead to prolong flowering, and cut stems to ground level in late winter

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free