Imperial Mix Pincushion Flower Seeds – Scabiosa atropurpurea

Mixed-Color Pincushion Flowers for Cutting Gardens

Imperial Mix pincushion flower (Scabiosa atropurpurea) produces rounded blooms on long, slender stems in a mix of maroon, rose, pink, lavender and white. Its airy habit adds movement to sunny borders, while the pincushion-shaped flowers bring texture to homegrown bouquets.

Grow a patch near your vegetable garden or along a sunny path, then cut a few stems to enjoy indoors. Flowers attract butterflies and other visiting pollinators. This is an annual scabiosa mix, not the shorter perennial Scabiosa caucasica Perfection Mix.

Available Seed Packs

• 25 seeds
• 100 seeds
• 1/4 oz pack
• 1 oz pack, approximately 3,000 seeds

Select your preferred size. Counts for weight-based packs are approximate and vary by seed lot. This listing is for seeds, not live plants. Mixed colors vary between plants and packets; individual colors cannot be selected.

Plant Details

• Botanical name: Scabiosa atropurpurea.
• Variety: Imperial Mix.
• Common name: Pincushion flower.
• Life cycle: Annual.
• Typical height: Approximately 30–40 inches, depending on conditions.
• Flowers: Rounded, often double blooms in mixed shades, reaching approximately 3 inches across.
• Flowering: Summer into fall where weather and care allow.
• Light: Full sun.
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil.
• Uses: Cutting gardens, sunny borders and large containers.

Starting Seeds Indoors

• Sow approximately 4–6 weeks before your local last spring frost.
• Use a clean tray or individual cells filled with pre-moistened seed-starting mix.
• Press seeds onto the surface and barely cover, approximately 1/16 inch deep. Light aids germination, so avoid deep burial.
• Maintain a soil temperature around 65–70°F and keep evenly moist, never waterlogged.
• Germination commonly takes approximately 10–21 days, depending on conditions.
• Provide bright light after emergence and pot on carefully once true leaves appear.
• Harden off gradually and plant outside after frost danger has passed.

Direct Sowing

Prepare a fine, weed-free seedbed in full sun after frost danger has passed. Sow shallowly, press gently into contact with the soil and water with a fine spray. Maintain consistent moisture until seedlings are established. Thin to approximately 8–12 inches apart, allowing more room where plants grow especially vigorously.

For a longer cutting season, consider successive sowings two to three weeks apart through late spring. Later plantings need enough growing time before autumn frost.

Garden Care and Support

Water young plants regularly while roots establish, then water as needed during dry spells. Avoid soggy soil and excessive nitrogen, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Tall, wiry stems may need stakes or horizontal flower netting, especially in exposed sites.

Remove faded blooms and their stems to encourage further flowering. This annual does not need the recurring division recommended for perennial scabiosa. Bloom quantity and duration depend on weather, planting time and care.

Cut Flowers and Seedheads

Cut flowering stems with clean snips and place promptly in clean water. Remove leaves below the waterline and refresh vase water regularly. Leave some blooms to mature if you want decorative seedheads for arrangements; seedheads will look different from the fresh flowers.

Growing in Containers

Choose a large container with drainage holes and a free-draining potting mix. Allow room for the mature plants and insert supports early. Place in full sun, check moisture often during warm or windy weather and feed with a balanced flower fertilizer according to its label. Avoid leaving pots standing in water.