{"product_id":"pincushion-flower-seeds-scabiosa-atropurpurea-fata-morgana","title":"Pincushion Flower Seeds — Scabiosa atropurpurea Fata Morgana","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA Towering Cottage Garden Classic — Creamy White Blooms with a Warm Golden Centre and Soft Peachy-Pink Blush\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScabiosa atropurpurea\u003c\/strong\u003e 'Fata Morgana' is a truly impressive hardy annual that brings height, elegance, and a luminous, ever-changing quality to the cottage garden and cutting patch. Growing to a statuesque \u003cstrong\u003e100–120cm tall\u003c\/strong\u003e, 'Fata Morgana' produces a generous succession of beautifully domed pincushion flowers with creamy white outer florets surrounding a warm golden-amber centre of tight rounded buds. As each bloom matures, it develops a delicate soft peachy-pink blush — a subtle, romantic colour shift that gives the plant a gentle warmth and depth quite unlike any other scabiosa. The depth of this blush colour is further enhanced by temperature changes, with cooler conditions intensifying the peachy-pink tones for a richer, more saturated effect. The flowers are held on long, strong wiry stems that are outstanding for cutting, and the plant is a hardy annual that can be sown in autumn as well as spring for an extended season. Bees and butterflies adore it, and the tall, airy stems create a beautiful naturalistic effect when grown en masse in the border or cutting patch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Gardeners Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🫖 \u003cstrong\u003eCreamy white blooms with a warm golden centre\u003c\/strong\u003e — beautifully domed pincushion flowers with creamy white outer florets and a distinctive warm golden-amber rounded centre of tight buds; luminous and elegant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌸 \u003cstrong\u003eSoft peachy-pink blush deepened by temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e — each flower develops a delicate peachy-pink blush as it matures, with cooler temperatures intensifying the colour for a richer, more romantic effect\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌿 \u003cstrong\u003eImpressive height — grows to 100–120cm\u003c\/strong\u003e — a statuesque annual that creates a beautiful impact at the back of the border and provides exceptionally long stems for cutting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e✂️ \u003cstrong\u003eOutstanding cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e — long strong stems and excellent vase life; the soft creamy and peachy tones combine beautifully with whites, warm pinks, and cottage garden palettes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🐝 \u003cstrong\u003eExceptional for pollinators\u003c\/strong\u003e — bees and butterflies are strongly attracted to the flowers throughout summer; one of the best annuals for beneficial insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌱 \u003cstrong\u003eHardy annual — sow in autumn or spring\u003c\/strong\u003e — the hardy nature of 'Fata Morgana' means it can be autumn-sown for earlier blooms the following season, giving it a head start over spring-sown plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌿 \u003cstrong\u003eLong flowering season\u003c\/strong\u003e — blooms from early summer through to autumn; the more you cut, the more it blooms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips for New Zealand\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSow Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Fata Morgana' direct where it is to flower in spring, or in autumn for earlier blooms — being a hardy annual it will overwinter well in most NZ regions. Alternatively, start in trays in late winter. Sow onto moist seed-raising mix and cover lightly. Thin or transplant seedlings to 30–40cm apart. Scabiosa prefers a sunny position with well-drained, preferably alkaline soil — add a little lime if your soil is acidic. At 100–120cm, 'Fata Morgana' will benefit from staking in exposed positions. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering; the more you cut, the more it blooms. Note that cooler autumn temperatures will deepen the peachy-pink blush on the blooms, making late-season flowers particularly beautiful.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in the Packet\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach packet contains \u003cstrong\u003e5 seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e of Pincushion Flower Fata Morgana (\u003cem\u003eScabiosa atropurpurea\u003c\/em\u003e 'Fata Morgana'), with growing instructions included.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chbotanics Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45069999865925,"sku":null,"price":4.5,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0734\/2974\/5733\/files\/image_64bf8627-0dce-4fce-8d6d-0f42fa429974.png?v=1780032257","url":"https:\/\/chbotanics.co.nz\/products\/pincushion-flower-seeds-scabiosa-atropurpurea-fata-morgana","provider":"Chbotanics Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}