Scabiosa Atropurpurea. This fragrant annual or tender perennial attracts butterflies. It gets its scientific name from its use as a remedy for scabies. Its buds are tightly closed, dense, and resemble pins, hence the name “Pincushion”. This plant can grow two to three feet in height.

Pincushions make lovely cut flowers and cutting makes them last longer and produce more. This versatile flower is ideal in a cottage garden, in borders, combined with other flowers, in containers or in small gardens.

Sow seed indoors ten weeks before planting, or plant in early spring for plants that flower throughout the summer and fall.

Heirloom seeds are collected from the gardens and grounds at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and cleaned and packaged by hand.