Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Scabious Black Knight
Scabious Black Knight
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Scabious 'Black Knight' Seeds
If you want to add drama, depth, and mystery to your borders, 'Black Knight' is essential. It produces abundance of dome-shaped, pincushion flowers in a shade of maroon-purple so deep it looks like black velvet. The dark petals are speckled with contrasting white stamens (anthers) that look exactly like tiny white pins stuck into a cushion.
This is a plant that appeals to all the senses. It looks spectacular, but it also smells divine, releasing a subtle, sweet honey fragrance on warm days. Standing tall on long, wiry stems, it is a favourite of florists for adding a moody, sophisticated touch to bouquets.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Scabious is a Hardy Annual.
It completes its life cycle in one season. Although it looks delicate, it is surprisingly tough.
The "Cut and Come Again" Rule: This is one of the most productive plants you can grow. The more flowers you cut for the house, the more the plant will produce. If you keep picking, it will bloom tirelessly from July right through to the first heavy frosts of November.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Scabious is easy to grow but hates wet feet.
Germination:
Sow indoors in spring (March-April) or autumn (Sept). Surface sow onto moist compost and cover lightly with vermiculite. Keep warm (18-20°C). Germination takes 10-14 days. You can also direct sow outdoors in May.
Where to Sow:
They demand full sun and well-drained soil. They love alkaline (chalky) soil. If you have heavy wet clay, grow them in a raised bed or add grit, as they will rot in soggy ground.
Care While Growing:
Support: The stems are long and wiry (up to 90cm). In a windy garden, they can flop. Give them a little support with netting or twiggy sticks to keep them upright.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Scabiosa atropurpurea |
| Common Name | Scabious 'Black Knight' |
| Hardiness | H4 (Hardy Annual) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 90cm (Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 30cm apart |
| Great for | 🦋 Butterfly Magnet ✂️ Dramatic Cut Flowers ⚫ Gothic Borders 👃 Scented Gardens |
| Seed Count | Approx. 50 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The deep maroon of 'Black Knight' needs light or lime-green partners to really stand out:
- ❄️ Ammi Majus (Queen Anne's Lace): The monochrome mix. The flat, white lacy heads of Ammi Majus provide the perfect bright background for the dark Scabious buttons. It is a sophisticated, high-contrast pairing.
- 💚 Zinnia 'Green Envy': The designer clash. The acid-lime green of the Zinnia makes the deep red-black of the Scabious pop. It creates a modern, vibrant look in the vase.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring or autumn. Flowers mid-summer to late autumn.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Scabious is one of the best plants for biodiversity. Scabiosa atropurpurea is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, attracting bees and butterflies in droves.
