Pincushion Flower / Mourning Bride (Scabiosa atropurpurea) seeds
- Mysterious deep-purple blooms – annual summer flower for borders, bouquets, and pollinators.
- Contents: Approx. 50 seeds
- Open-pollinated variety, seed tested regularly
€2.99
Description
Historic Floral Beauty with Deep Colour
The Purple Velvet Scabious (Scabiosa atropurpurea) is a traditional, annual summer flower bearing velvety blooms in deep purples, violet tones, and occasional shades of pink. Its rich, dark hues provide striking contrast in garden beds and pair especially well with soft pastel colours.
This striking plant has been cultivated as an ornamental flower since the 17th century. Today, it continues to impress with its long flowering period, suitability as a cut flower, and importance as a nectar source for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. Day-flying butterflies in particular are drawn to its fragrance and nectar-rich blooms.
Purple scabious grows to around 80–100?cm tall, is self-supporting, and ideal for naturalistic gardens, prairie-style plantings, or traditional cottage gardens. The blooms also perform exceptionally well in the vase, bringing a romantic, almost mystical depth to any floral arrangement.
Plant profile
| Plant type | Summer flower |
|---|---|
| Use | Cut flower, Ornamental plant |
| Lifecycle | Annual |
| Species | Caprifoliaceae |
| Region of origin | Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean Region, Southern Europe |
| Characteristics | Food for bees |
| Eventual height | 80-120 cm |
| Flower colour | Purple, Red |
| Flowering months | August, July, October, September |
Growing instructions
| When to sow outdoors | August, June, May, September |
|---|---|
| Sowing depth | 0.5 cm |
| Germination temperature | 15-20°C |
| Germination time | 2-3 weeks |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Soil type | Chalky, Free-draining, Humus-rich |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Water requirement | Medium |
| Planting distance | 30 cm |
Sowing and care
Sowing and Care of Scabiosa atropurpurea
- Plant type: Annual summer flower, historically cultivated
- Sowing: Start indoors from March or direct sow outdoors from mid-April
- Germination: At 14–16?°C; germination takes approx. 2–3 weeks
- Location: Sunny, dry, low in nutrients, and well-drained
- Height: Approx. 80–100?cm, upright growth
- Special features: Long-flowering, suitable for cutting, pollinator-friendly
With its exceptionally dark colour palette, historical charm, and high ecological value, the Purple Velvet Scabious is a true insider tip for garden enthusiasts who appreciate contrast and character.
Other names
Botanical name: Scabiosa atropurpurea
German: Garten-Skabiose, Witwenblume, Samt-Skabiose
English: Mourningbride, Sweet Scabious, Pincushion Flower
French: Scabieuse pourpre, Scabieuse des jardins
Italian: Vedovella selvatica, Scabiosa porpora, Vedovina maggiore,
Spanish: Escabilla Morisca, Escabiosa, Sombrero de Viuda, Viuda Morada, Bella Dama, Bella Madre, Corona de Clérigo, Escabiosa morada, Flor viuda
Dutch: Zwarte scabiosa, rouwbruid, treurige weduwe, speldenkussenbloem, zoete schurft, purperen scabiosa, weduwenbloem
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