Pincushion Flower Seeds — Scabiosa atropurpurea Fata Morgana

A Towering Cottage Garden Classic — Creamy White Blooms with a Warm Golden Centre and Soft Peachy-Pink Blush

Scabiosa atropurpurea '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 100–120cm tall, '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.

Why Gardeners Love It

• 🫖 Creamy white blooms with a warm golden centre — beautifully domed pincushion flowers with creamy white outer florets and a distinctive warm golden-amber rounded centre of tight buds; luminous and elegant
• 🌸 Soft peachy-pink blush deepened by temperature — each flower develops a delicate peachy-pink blush as it matures, with cooler temperatures intensifying the colour for a richer, more romantic effect
• 🌿 Impressive height — grows to 100–120cm — a statuesque annual that creates a beautiful impact at the back of the border and provides exceptionally long stems for cutting
• ✂️ Outstanding cut flower — long strong stems and excellent vase life; the soft creamy and peachy tones combine beautifully with whites, warm pinks, and cottage garden palettes
• 🐝 Exceptional for pollinators — bees and butterflies are strongly attracted to the flowers throughout summer; one of the best annuals for beneficial insects
• 🌱 Hardy annual — sow in autumn or spring — 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
• 🌿 Long flowering season — blooms from early summer through to autumn; the more you cut, the more it blooms

Growing Tips for New Zealand

Sow 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.

What's in the Packet

Each packet contains 5 seeds of Pincushion Flower Fata Morgana (Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Fata Morgana'), with growing instructions included.