Scabiosa

Scabiosa stellata also known as a starflower pincushion, is a plant belonging to the drill family. It is perennial by nature, but is more commonly grown as an annual. The species is native to the Mediterranean, but is also established elsewhere in Europe, western Asia and southern and eastern Africa. The scabiosa is valued by gardeners and florists alike. Both fresh plants and dried inflorescences are beautiful and can be used to create a variety of compositions.

What does the scabiosa look like?

Scabiosa grows to a height of about 60-70 cm. It is characterised by an erect habit, although it sometimes forms clumps. The most decorative part of the plant is its flowers. They take on a bright pink-blue colour. After flowering, the fused and expanded sepals form spherical inflorescences with green-beige striped calyxes that look great in flowerbeds and bouquets. Interestingly, the overflowing flowers of the scabiosa are ideal for drying. They retain their original colour and shape. They can also be stabilised and dyed in different colours.

Scabiosa under natural conditions and in cultivation

In the wild, scabiosa grows in well-sunny areas. It is mainly found in Mediterranean areas. It grows on meadows, wastelands and forest slopes. In Poland, it is exclusively a cultivated species, found in gardens and flowerbeds.

Scabiosa is not demanding in terms of cultivation. The only thing that needs to be done is to ensure a well-sunny position. The plant grows best in loose, permeable soil with a high calcium content. It is important to keep the soil slightly moist at all times - regular irrigation is recommended in periods of drought. Scabiosa is resistant to pest invasion and disease. The only maintenance the plant requires is weeding, as it can become overrun by other species. The plant is propagated from seed, less commonly from seedlings.

Use of scabiosa

Scabiosa  is valued above all for its aesthetic qualities. Especially as it forms decorative syncarp even after flowering. For this reason, it is becoming increasingly popular with gardeners. It is an excellent choice for naturalistic and country gardens. It can also be used to decorate rockeries. In most cases, however, the star hyacinth is cultivated to dry out its impressive inflorescences.

Scabiosa in floristry

The flowering scabiosa is characterised by its interesting appearance and durability. It can therefore be confidently added to cut flower arrangements. After drying, it looks great in bouquets. It can play a leading role or be an interesting complement. It is worth remembering that dried scabiosa also looks beautiful solo, placed in a simple glass container. For this purpose, it is best to use plants dyed in intense colours, which can become a wonderful decoration for modern arrangements.

Dried scabiosa at Blosmi

At Blosmi, you can find dried scabiosa dyed in many colours: pink, fuchsia, brown, green, blue, yellow, orange, red and purple, as well as in its natural shade. There are 5 stems per bunch ending in a spherical inflorescence. The length of each plant is approximately 30 cm. All products are carefully packed and protected for transport.