Scabious

Scabious (Scabiosa) - Annual, biennial, and perennial plants, forming by far the largest proportion of the Teasel family cultivated in our gardens. The old English name of Pincushion Flower, from the resemblance of the flower-heads to that useful article, is perhaps a little more appropriate than it is elegant, although it serves its purpose very well, and, indeed, we have been told these plants are known by no other name in the country. Although comprising a large number of species, very few are found outside the botanic garden, and were all the known kinds hunted up, not a dozen would prove worth growing.

Related Flowers

Sweet Scabiosa

Sweet Scabiosa (Scabiosa Atro-Purpurea) - The commonest Scabious, grown in distinct varieties, which add much to the beauty of our mixed flower borders, as well as being largely used for greenhouse and conservatory decoration. The normal color is said to be deep crimson, but under cultivation all shades of crimson, purplish-yellow, and white may be seen. Many varieties have double flowers and are preferred by some growers, but I think the single varieties are best, and they are also extremely useful for cutting. Under the name Saudade the flower-heads of this plant are used for funeral wreaths by the Portuguese and other nations; indeed, the white varieties are of such purity that they might be so employed in our own country, as they may be had at almost any season if sown and grown under glass. To secure gay groups for the flower borders, order mixed packets of seeds, which should be sown in the reserve ground along with other annuals in May, or even later, to bloom the following year. If sown earlier, however, the Scabious will bloom the same year, for though considered a biennial by many growers, we have always looked upon it as a hardy annual. By sowing the seed in the open towards the end of March and thinning out as required, the plants will bloom well towards the latter end of summer. To get earlier bloom, those sown the previous autumn may be transplanted in early spring to their flowering quarters; the succession will then be continued from early summer until late autumn. S.W.Europe.

Scabiosa Caucasica

Scabiosa Caucasica - The finest perennial in my garden, it flowers from early summer to late autumn. It forms dense tufts, which yield large quantities of blue flower-heads, each usually from 3 to 4 inches in diameter, on long foot-stalks, and useful for cutting, as they last a long time. There is a white variety, and others such as atro-caerulea, which is very dark; fimbriata, with the petals finely fringed; and perfecta, with semi-double flowers. S. amoena comes very near caucasica, but is more vigorous and with flowers of rosy-lilac color. Caucasus. Division and seed.

Grass-leaved Scabiosa

Grass-leaved Scabiosa (Scabiosa Graminifolia) - A graceful Scabious from 1 1/2 to 2 feet high, with pale blue flowers and silvery white leaves; it is very useful for the rock garden. S. Europe. June to October. Division and seed.

Scabiosa Pterocephala

Scabiosa Pterocephala - ing-headed S.) is a very dwarf-tufted hardy perennial, with greyish-green foliage, and rarely exceeding 4 or 6 inches in height even when in flower; flower-heads pale purple in summer.

Scabiosa Webbiana

Scabiosa Webbiana - A useful species for the rock garden or border, forming neat little masses of hoary leaves, which are attractive, especially when the plant is grown in poor soil. Its creamy-yellow flowers, borne on long stalks, are pretty from July to August. Division.