Pincushion Flower Seeds — Scabiosa atropurpurea Oxford Blue

A Classic Deep Blue Pincushion Flower — Tall, Elegant, and Irresistible to Bees

Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Oxford Blue' is one of the finest blue-flowered annuals you can grow — a tall, graceful cottage garden classic with deeply coloured, rich blue-violet pincushion flowers that are simply stunning in the border and the vase. Growing to around 70cm tall, 'Oxford Blue' produces a generous succession of perfectly domed flower heads in a deep, saturated blue-violet with contrasting pale stamens, held on long wiry stems that are perfect for cutting. The colour is rich and true — one of the deepest blues available in an annual scabiosa — and the flowers are absolutely loved by bees and butterflies throughout the season. A must-grow for the cutting patch and the cottage garden border alike.

Why Gardeners Love It

• 💙 Deep, rich blue-violet blooms — perfectly domed pincushion flowers in a saturated blue-violet with contrasting pale stamens; one of the deepest and truest blues in an annual scabiosa
• 🌿 Tall and elegant — grows to around 70cm — a statuesque annual that makes a beautiful impact at the back of the border and provides long stems for cutting
• ✂️ Outstanding cut flower — long wiry stems and excellent vase life; 'Oxford Blue' combines beautifully with whites, creams, soft pinks, and other cottage garden favourites
• 🐝 Exceptional for pollinators — bees and butterflies are strongly attracted to the flowers throughout summer; one of the best annuals for beneficial insects
• 🌱 Easy to grow — direct sow or start in trays; a reliable and generous annual that flowers prolifically with minimal fuss
• 🌿 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 'Oxford Blue' direct where it is to flower in spring, or start in trays in late winter for earlier blooms. Sow onto moist seed-raising mix and cover lightly. Thin or transplant seedlings to 30cm apart. Scabiosa prefers a sunny position with well-drained, preferably alkaline soil — add a little lime if your soil is acidic. It is quite drought tolerant once established and performs well across most NZ regions. At 70cm, 'Oxford Blue' may benefit from light staking in exposed positions. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering; the more you cut, the more it blooms.

What's in the Packet

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