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Sixalix atropurpurea

sweet scabious

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

Overview

Sixalix atropurpurea, sweet scabious or pincushion flower, is an upright annual to short-lived perennial of the Mediterranean region, grown in gardens for its long succession of domed flower heads. It reaches 1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm) tall on slender, branching, wiry stems above a basal rosette of lobed, toothed leaves. From summer into fall it produces rounded flower heads 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across, made of many small florets with protruding stamens that give a pincushion look. Colors range from deep crimson-purple to lilac, pink, and white, and the heads carry a sweet fragrance. Bees and butterflies visit freely, and cut stems last well in the vase. S. atropurpurea grows on well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun and tolerates heat and drought once established. It is short-lived and tends to flop without support on rich ground, and it self-sows freely, naturalizing as a weed in some mild regions.

Native Range

Native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and North Africa. It grows on dry, open, rocky and grassy ground and has naturalized in parts of North America, Australia, and other warm-temperate areas.

Suggested Uses

Grown in cottage gardens, cutting gardens, mixed borders, and pollinator plantings for summer-long color. The long, wiry stems and lasting heads make it a staple cut flower. It also suits containers and dry, sunny beds where its drought tolerance is useful.

How to Identify

Recognize it by domed, pincushion-like flower heads 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) wide, packed with small florets and protruding stamens, in crimson-purple through lilac, pink, and white. The heads rise on slender, branching stems above a rosette of lobed, toothed leaves. Its rounded heads and sweet scent separate it from true Scabiosa spp. relatives and from knautias, which have flatter heads.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 3'

Width/Spread9" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~18 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering extends from early summer into autumn, roughly June to October, and repeats steadily when spent heads are removed. Each domed head opens over several days and releases a sweet fragrance. Cool fall weather often deepens the flower color.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

crimson-purple to lilac, pink, and 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

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun on light, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil; lean ground produces sturdier stems than rich, heavily fed soil. Sow seed indoors in late winter or outdoors after frost, setting plants out once the soil warms. Water moderately during dry spells, allowing the surface to dry between waterings, since the roots rot in soggy soil. Removing faded heads regularly keeps the plant flowering into fall. Taller stems may need light support on exposed or fertile sites. It self-sows where heads are left to ripen, returning from seed in mild climates.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower heads regularly to prolong bloom and limit self-sowing. Cutting stems for the vase has the same effect, encouraging fresh buds. At season end, plants are cleared once they decline, or cut back lightly where they persist as short-lived perennials.