Scabiosa—sounds like an incantation for a wizard’s spell from Harry Potter. Though the common name for scabiosa is pincushion flower, it is not to be confused with a spell to make you feel pins on your skin or give you scabs. On the contrary, the flower is quite pretty and frilly even if it is made up of tiny pin-like heads.
In pinks and purples and whites and blues, scabiosa is a lovely short flower, perfect for borders in your garden. I tried my hand at growing them for a number of years, and then they suddenly disappeared from my garden. Scabiosa is used for the treatment of skin disorders like scabies and they symbolize unfortunate love, widowhood and admiration. Not really the kind of image most people want to evoke for their wedding. Nonetheless, scabiosas are very lovely buds.
The Song Of The Scabious Fairy
By Cicely Mary Barker
Like frilly cushions full of pins
For tiny dames and fairykins;
Or else like dancers decked with gems,
My flowers sway on slender stems.
The curtsey in the meadow grass,
And nod to butterflies who pass.
XOXO Rachel
Wondrance 