Description
The deep raisin color of these pincushion-y flowers is a knock-your-socks-off beauty. How often do you see a nearly black flower in the garden? Not possibly often enough. Black Knight Scabiosa was the champion of our 2020 trial, with its exceptionally sturdy stems that didn’t require supports and its unique, eye-catching color. The 2” little ball blooms are adorned with cute, spikey white anthers beloved by butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and florists. A workhorse that will produce flowers all season long followed by intriguing seed heads for dried bouquets. Celebrated since the 1600s when it was called “Mournful Widow” or “Blackmore’s Beauty.” 2-3 ft fall.
Days to Maturity: 90-100
Latin Name: Scabiosa atropurpurea
Life cycle for seed saving: Annual
Planting Instructions:
Sow Black Knight Scabiosa indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Just lightly cover with soil as lights promotes
germination. Planting depth: 1/8”. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 65-70°F.
Plant spacing: 9-15”. Harvest when flowers are almost fully open.
For more tips on when to plant flower seed, check out our NW Flower Planting Calendar!
All of our seed is Non-GMO and Certified Organic by Washington State Department of Agriculture. We grow the majority of our varieties here at Deep Harvest Farm on Whidbey Island while we purchase the rest from other small, organic Northwest seed growers. Finally, all of our offerings are open-pollinated (OP) so that you too can save and share seed from these plants!
