Fire King Sweet Scabious is a stunning heirloom flower that brings deep crimson blooms to gardens from summer through fall, reaching 30 to 36 inches tall across hardiness zones 2 through 11. This cultivar of Scabiosa atropurpurea takes about 112 days from seed to bloom, rewarding patient gardeners with striking pincushion flowers that deer ignore and pollinators adore. Its moderate water needs and full-sun preference make it a resilient addition to cottage gardens, cut flower arrangements, and pollinator borders.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
36in H x 18in W
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Moderate
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The deep fire-red blooms are unmistakable, rising on tall, slender stems that seem to float above the foliage. Pollinators flock to the distinctive pincushion flower structure, making this variety a magnet for bees and butterflies throughout the growing season. Deer skip right past it, so you don't need to worry about browsing damage. Once established, it tolerates drought well, though it prefers moderate watering. This heirloom variety performs reliably across an impressive hardiness range, thriving from zone 2 through zone 11.
Fire King Sweet Scabious shines as a cut flower, with blooms that last well in the vase and add a striking, unusual texture to arrangements. Its pincushion flowers are equally valuable in the garden itself, where they create height and color in borders and attract beneficial insects throughout the summer and fall months.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 5 weeks before your last spring frost in pots kept at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Sprout time ranges from 5 to 15 days. Cover the seed tray with a humidity dome or sprinkling of vermiculite to keep conditions moist and encourage germination.
Harden off seedlings gradually before moving them outside. Transplant after the last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures stay above freezing.
Direct sow outdoors about 2 weeks before your last spring frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
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