__________________________________________________________________________________________________Periwinkle blue pincushion flower, Scabiosa, is a pollinator favorite in the garden. The lavender bloom of Scabiosa makes them especially attractive to early spring pollinators. A soft lavender blue, it attracts butterflies and bees and brings an old-fashion charm added to cottage gardens and rock gardens. The blooms look like pincushions surrounded by frilly petals. ome professionals believe it should not be used but I like it and use it in small quantities. Pincushion Flower is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae family (formerly it was placed in the Teasel family, Dipsacaceae). Historically, the dried teasel flower head of Fuller's teasel, the pincushion flower's cousin, served a utilitarian function in textile processing. It was used as a natural comb for raising the nap on fabrics. How do I grow this successfully? Start with an alkaline soil, a high pH 8.5, so if yours tends to be acidic, add lime to raise the pH.


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