Lomelosia cretica (Cretian pincushion flower)
Terrific small rounded shrub that flowers for around 9 to 10 months of the year in the warm climate of Perth. Flowers similar to Scabiosa (and it seems to have been reclassified as Scabiosa) but it holds the pom-pom shaped seed heads for as long, if not longer, than the flowers. The seed heads are beautiful and unusual in their own right, and could easily be considered more of a visual attribute than the flowers. Grows easily in most soil types although in the heat of Perth summers it does need a weekly water to keep it happy. I give it a light prune to tidy in early winter if I remember, but doesn't really need this unless it is being distorted by too much shade or overshadowing by other plants. Grows approx 40cm high and wide in a bun shape.