Black Knight Scabiosa brings theatrical drama to the garden with its deep, velvety maroon blooms that appear almost black in their richness. Standing 18 to 24 inches tall on slender stems, this annual pincushion flower produces its striking blooms in just 40 to 49 days from seed. Hardy across zones 2 through 10, it thrives in full sun and keeps flowering from early summer until frost, making it both a reliable garden performer and an excellent cut flower.
Full Sun
High
2-10
24in H x ?in W
Annual
Moderate
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The dark beauty of Black Knight lies in its extraordinarily deep maroon flowers, so richly colored they border on black, with soft speckles of whitish-pink pollen dotting the long stamens for subtle contrast. These elegant pincushion flowers bloom continuously from early summer through frost, drawing butterflies while providing an endless supply of dramatic cut flowers. The compact 18 to 24-inch plants produce uniform blooms on sturdy stems, perfect for both garden borders and bouquet work.
Black Knight Scabiosa excels as a cut flower, bringing dramatic color and unique texture to fresh bouquets and arrangements. The deep maroon pincushion blooms create striking focal points in flower borders and pollinator gardens, where they attract butterflies throughout their long blooming season. Their uniform height and continuous flowering make them valuable for mass plantings in beds and containers.
Sow seeds 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost, barely covering them as light aids germination. Germination occurs between 70 to 85°F within 6 to 15 days. Transplant to cell packs when first true leaves appear and grow at 50 to 55°F in the greenhouse to prevent stretching.
Harden off transplants and move outdoors after the last frost when soil has warmed. Space plants 6 inches apart in well-drained, sunny locations.
Direct seed successive plantings every 2 to 3 weeks until late spring for the best quality flowers. Sow when soil warms to at least 55°F, covering seeds lightly as they need some light to germinate.
For cut flowers, harvest in the morning when blooms are their freshest and petals are just opening. Cut with a clean knife dipped in 10% household bleach solution to prevent bacterial contamination. Harvest flowers when almost fully open for the longest vase life.
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