Pincushion flower produces domed, textured blooms studded with protruding stamens that resemble pins stuck in a cushion, giving this cottage garden favorite its memorable common name.
Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, pincushion flower blooms for an extended period through summer, its unusual, textured form adding interest to borders and cut arrangements alike. Bees and butterflies are especially drawn to its nectar-rich blooms.
Pincushion flower's older name, "mourning bride," ties it to loss and remembrance in Victorian flower language, though today it's more often simply appreciated for its unusual texture.
Pincushion flower wants full sun and well-draining, slightly alkaline soil, blooming from early summer well into fall with regular deadheading. It's a favorite for cutting gardens, since its long stems and unusual bloom shape hold up well in fresh arrangements.
Pincushion flower has a minor history of use in traditional European herbal medicine for skin conditions, though it's grown today almost exclusively as a cottage garden and cut flower ornamental.
