Pincushion Flower ‘Starflower’

Scabiosa stellata

Features

  • Cut-and-come-again
  • Dryable
  • Easy to grow
  • Foliage & Filler
  • Pollinator-friendly

Description

Tall, heavily branched plants have silvery foliage topped with sturdy, smoky-periwinkle florets with a silvery center. Once blooms give way, they leave behind light brown orb-shaped seedpods that are great for drying and adding texture to arrangements. This productive bloomer is extremely versatile and a great garden plant.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 to 48 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 to 100 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 6 to 8 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when the flowers are still in bud stage or just beginning to open. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days. To dry, harvest when seed heads are light green and centers are turning black. If harvested beyond this point the seed heads will fall apart.<

Details

Description

Tall, heavily branched plants have silvery foliage topped with sturdy, smoky-periwinkle florets with a silvery center. Once blooms give way, they leave behind light brown orb-shaped seedpods that are great for drying and adding texture to arrangements. This productive bloomer is extremely versatile and a great garden plant.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 to 48 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 to 100 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 6 to 8 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when the flowers are still in bud stage or just beginning to open. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days. To dry, harvest when seed heads are light green and centers are turning black. If harvested beyond this point the seed heads will fall apart.<

Sources

How to Grow

How to Grow

Fabulous Foliages and Fillers
Easy-to-grow Hardy Annuals
Grasses, Grains, and Pods
Discovering Dried Flowers
Fabulous Foliages and Fillers
Easy-to-grow Hardy Annuals
Grasses, Grains, and Pods
Discovering Dried Flowers

Seed-Saving Mini Course

Learn how to save seed from zinnia, dahlia, and celosia

In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.