Scabious 'Black Knight' Seeds

'Black Knight' is a florist's absolute favourite. It produces an abundance of deep, rich, maroon-black flowers that look like velvet cushions stuck with tiny white pins (the stamens). The flower heads bob on tall, wiry stems, creating a silhouette that is both elegant and slightly wild.

The fragrance is a hidden surprise—a subtle, sweet honey scent that drifts on the warm air. This variety adds instant depth and luxury to a border, acting as a "full stop" of dark colour that makes paler flowers nearby look even brighter.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Black Knight'

We love this plant for its cut-flower performance. The stems are long, strong, and straight, and the flowers last for over a week in water. A single patch will provide you with buckets of sophisticated, dark blooms all summer long.

It is also a premier pollinator plant. The "pincushion" shape is actually hundreds of tiny florets packed together, providing a massive nectar buffet for bees and butterflies. It is rarely seen without a visitor!

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Annual?

Scabiosa atropurpurea is a **Hardy Annual** (sometimes a short-lived perennial in mild spots).

It flowers in its first year and is usually treated as a seasonal bedding plant.
The Strategy: Sow in autumn for giant, early-flowering plants, or in spring for a summer display.
Top Tip: Keep cutting! Scabious operates on a "cut-and-come-again" basis. The more flowers you harvest for the house, the more the plant will produce to replace them.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Scabious is easy to grow but dislikes wet winter soil.

🌱 Germination:
Sow indoors in autumn or spring, or direct sow outdoors in April/May. Surface sow onto moist compost and cover with a fine sprinkling of vermiculite. Keep warm (18-21°C). Germination takes 10-14 days.

Where to Sow:
They need **full sun** and well-drained, alkaline (chalky) soil. If you have acid soil, add a little lime or crushed eggshells. If you have heavy clay, grow them in raised beds or add grit.

Care While Growing:
These can grow quite tall (90cm) and the flower heads are heavy. In a windy garden, give them some support with twiggy sticks or netting so they don't flop over in a summer storm. Deadhead fading blooms immediately to prevent seed formation.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features.

My Recommended Garden Companions

The dark burgundy of 'Black Knight' needs lighter partners to help it stand out. Here are my top picks:

• ❄️ Ammi Majus (Queen Anne's Lace): The ultimate florist's duo. The flat, white lacy heads of Ammi Majus provide a crisp, bright background that allows the dark, velvet heads of the Scabiosa to pop.
• 🍂 Rudbeckia 'Autumn Forest': For a rich, moody look. The bronze and mahogany tones of the Rudbeckia blend beautifully with the deep maroon of the Scabious, creating a warm, late-summer tapestry.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow in autumn for early flowers, or spring for summer blooms.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)