Fire King Scabiosa Seeds

Fire King Scabiosa Seeds – 30 Seeds

Scabiosa ‘Fire King’ (pincushion flower) is a vigorous, long‑blooming perennial (sometimes grown as a tender biennial or short‑lived perennial) prized for its large, fiery red to deep‑rose flower heads atop slender stems and attractive, gray‑green foliage. Derived from Scabiosa hybrids, ‘Fire King’ provides season‑long color in borders, cutting gardens, and mixed containers and is especially valued for cut‑flower production.

Plant in full sun for best flowering; it will tolerate light afternoon shade but flowers most prolifically in sun. It prefers well‑drained soil from sandy to loamy with average fertility—avoid heavy, waterlogged soils. Incorporate a little compost into poor soils but avoid excessive nitrogen, which can reduce flowering and cause floppy growth.

Seeds germinate best with light exposure, so surface‑sow or press them lightly into a fine, moist seed mix rather than burying. Start indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost for earlier blooms or direct‑sow after danger of frost; expect germination in 7–21 days. A short cool period can improve uniformity, but cold stratification is not usually required. Thin or transplant seedlings to maintain airflow.

‘Fire King’ typically reaches about 18–30 inches (45–75 cm) tall with a spread of 12–18 inches (30–45 cm); space plants roughly 12–18 inches apart. Hardy in many areas (approximately USDA zones 5–8), it’s an excellent cut flower with good vase life and also presses and dries reasonably well for crafts. The blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it a versatile, pollinator‑friendly choice for borders and bouquets.