Sixalix spp.

sweet scabious

Caprifoliaceae

Mediterranean, southern Europe, North Africa, and southwestern Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Sixalix spp. is a genus of annual to short-lived perennial herbs in the honeysuckle family, segregated from Scabiosa spp. and native to the Mediterranean region and nearby areas. The widely grown Sixalix atropurpurea, known as sweet scabious or pincushion flower, forms a basal rosette and branched, wiry stems 18-36 inches (45-90 cm) tall. Leaves are lance-shaped and toothed at the base, becoming pinnately lobed up the stem. Domed flower heads 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across are carried on long stalks, each head packed with small florets surrounded by longer marginal flowers, in shades of deep maroon, purple, pink, lilac, and white. Protruding stamens give the heads a pincushion look. Flowering runs from early summer to fall, especially where spent heads are removed. The heads are followed by papery seed structures. Most plants are short-lived and rely on seed to persist. The wiry stems can flop in rich soil or wind without support.

Native Range

Sixalix spp. is native to the Mediterranean region, southern Europe, North Africa, and southwestern Asia. It grows in open, sunny sites on dry, stony, often calcareous soils, including grassland, scrub, and disturbed ground. S. atropurpurea has naturalized in mild regions beyond its native range.

Suggested Uses

Grown in cutting gardens, borders, and gravel or cottage-style plantings, spaced 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) apart, and the long-stemmed heads are used as cut flowers. The flowers attract bees and butterflies. The short life and tendency to flop leave it less suited to permanent, low-maintenance borders.

How to Identify

Recognized by domed, pincushion-like flower heads 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across on long, wiry stalks, with protruding stamens and longer florets around the rim, in maroon, purple, pink, lilac, or white. Stem leaves are pinnately lobed. The papery, cup-shaped structures around the ripening seeds separate it from true Scabiosa spp. and from knautias (Knautia spp.).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 3'

Width/Spread9" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering begins in early summer and continues into fall, often June through October, extending where faded heads are removed. Each head lasts one to two weeks, and a plant produces heads in succession over many weeks. Bloom slows in extreme summer heat and resumes as temperatures ease.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

maroon, purple, pink, lilac, or white

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 7.8(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Sixalix spp. grows in full sun on light, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soils and tolerates dry, stony ground once established. Wet, heavy soils, especially in winter, cause crown rot and shorten the plant's life. It is raised from seed, flowering the first year from an early sowing. Removing spent heads extends bloom and limits self-sowing. Aphids and powdery mildew can occur in crowded, still conditions. The wiry stems may need support in rich soil or exposed sites.

Pruning

Deadheading spent flower heads through the season prolongs bloom and reduces self-seeding. Plants can be cut back by about one-third in midsummer to renew growth if they become straggly. Stems are cut to the base in late fall or early spring.