The ideal garden flower with a descriptively less-than-ideal name.
Well, it’s true! For a flower that looks like a fairy’s pincushion fashioned from (humanely harvested) butterfly wings balanced on a thin stem of green spider silk, the name scabiosa is, at best, unfortunate. The name just seems to conjure more readily skinned knees and skin conditions than soft, feathery blooms atop impossibly delicate stems.
It is for good reason, however, that the garden favorite should don such a title. The name “scabiosa” comes from the Latin word scabies, which means “the itch”, because it was once lauded as a folk remedy for the skin disease by the same name. That should be of some comfort to scabiosa enthusiasts. Still not convinced? You could try using a few of the flower’s other monikers, among them Egyptian Bride and Starflower Pincushion. After all, a rose by any other name…
Scabiosa comes in many shades, from white to pastel pinks and lavenders, strawberry reds and deep burgundy hues. As seen in our photos, we seem to have a fondness for the midnight plum hue.
Scabiosa Facts
Season: Late spring to mid-autumn
Colors: Breathtaking papery whites, lavenders, and deep burgundy
When to Use: When a most novel and authentic garden lushness is called for. They somehow take the cake and leave it all iced and sugary at the same time when it comes to that wild and “just picked” look. Though they look impossibly delicate, they are actually fairly hearty and have a good amount of staying power in bouquets and arrangements alike.
For more scabiosa savoring, check out our Pinterest board!
