Scabiosa caucasica ‘Fama’
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Common names: PINCUSHION FLOWER, SCABIOUS
Native to: Caucasus Mountains
Sentiment: unfortunate love
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, open form
Max height: 2 feet
Max width: 2 feet
Flower
magenta/purple, secondary color present
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, specific butterfly species
Exposure: sun
Landscape use: container
Propagates by: cutting, division, seed
flowers in fall
flowers in summer
Soil type: well drained
USDA Zones: zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: -30 to +30 °F
Water: moderate, regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
There are 72 species of Scabiosa, also called PINCUSHION FLOWER or SCABIOUS and a member of the Caprifoliaceae family. Two are cultivated perennials – Scabiosa caucasica and columbaria. Both can be propagated via cutting, seed, or division, and grow to two feet high. They flower in summer, sometimes into fall, prefer moderate to regular watering, and thrive in Zones 4-10. The images shown here with wildlife perched on Scabiosa blossoms illustrates the visual delight provided by the attributes of this plant and the insects it attracts.
Scabiosa caucasica is a violet flowering perennial (or biennial) that grows to 2' high by 2' wide. It is native to the Caucasus Mountains. The parent flowers are violet, the cultivar 'Fama' are a darker purple; it flowers in summer and fall. The leaves are green, simple, whorl or spiral, and lanceolate with a fairly smooth margin and a pointed tip. It can be cultivated via division, cutting or seed and will grow in Zones 4-9. Grow it in well-drained soil, in sun, in a container if you want, and give it moderate or regular watering.
Scabiosa attracts Vanessa annabella, WEST COAST LADY
Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
