This fragrant old-fashioned flower comes in lovely shades of pink blue-violet lavender and white. The popular powder puff blooms make a terrific cut flower that will allow you to fill your home with the wonderful scent. A Mediterranean native this plant has a history of use as a folk remedy for skin disorders. The genus name Scabiosa means scabies referring to one of the skin complaints this plant was said to cure. The species name atropurpurea means dark purple one of the characteristic colors of its blooms. Each flower develops many pin-like stamens explaining its common name of pincushion flower.
