Cornflower Black Ball

Another beauty from the Cornflower family. Black Ball is actually more of a very deep, dark plum colour than black and is absolutely stunning when used as a cut flower. I love it teamed up with the bright orange of calendula for a real eye-catching display but it's also wonderful in softer arrangements and sits very well in amongst pinks, blues and reds too.

Bees and other pollinators adore cornflowers, grow these and your garden will be buzzing and humming all summer long. Keep deadheading or cutting bunches of flowers for friends to prolong the flowering season.

Plant Care Tips

Grow in poor, well-drained soil and in full sun and it is advisable to grow through some netting as they are prone to flopping over in high winds without support.
Sow in September for larger, stronger plants and/or in late April
Can be sown in modules to transplant later or direct into the soil
Pre-water the soil before sowing
Sow thinly and cover only very lightly. Do not let the soil dry out.
Prefer poor soil, well-drained soil and full sun
Keep cutting and deadheading to encourage more blooms

Details

RHS Plants for Pollinators.

The RHS Plants for Pollinators mark is only given to plants that support pollinating insects.

Find out more at rhs.org.uk/plantsforpollinators