Scabious Black Knight
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Description
Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Black Knight' Pincushion Flower 'Black Knight' / Black Velvet Scabious
The closest a flower comes to true black — dome-shaped pincushion blooms in a deep maroon-purple velvet so dark they are habitually mistaken for black, beautifully speckled with tiny white stamens that look like pins in a cushion. Honey-scented, butterfly-magnet, and tall on wiry 90cm stems — Scabious 'Black Knight' is the cottage cutting garden's moody sophisticate and one of the most photographed dark flowers in modern floristry.
This is the variety pursued by gardeners chasing the elusive "black flower" — and 'Black Knight' delivers as close to true black as any plant in the catalogue. The dome-shaped pincushion flowers are a deep maroon-purple velvet so saturated that in dappled summer light, in the shade of a vase arrangement, or in warm interior lighting, they genuinely read as black. The petals carry their characteristic light-absorbing velvet quality, beautifully contrasted with tiny white stamens that look like little pins in a cushion (the "pincushion" common name). Honey-scented — releases a subtle sweet fragrance on warm days that attracts bees and butterflies in droves. Standing tall on long wiry 90cm stems. Hardy annual flowering June through October. RHS Plants for Pollinators. A favourite of professional florists for the moody sophisticated touch the dark flowers add to summer bouquets.
A note on growing
Robust and easy to grow given maximum sunlight and excellent drainage. Sow indoors March–April for early blooms, or September to overwinter for stronger earlier-flowering plants the following year. Surface-sow onto moist compost and cover with a very light dusting of vermiculite — seeds require light to germinate. Maintain 18–20°C; germination 10–14 days. Alternatively direct sow outdoors in May once soil has warmed.
Plant out in late May in full sun in neutral to alkaline (chalky) soil. If you have heavy clay, add grit to the planting hole — Scabious will rot if their roots sit in winter-wet soil. Critical: support the 90cm stems early in the season with twiggy sticks or netting at 20–30cm height to prevent flopping in summer storms — staking after the plant has reached full height is too late. Deadhead regularly to prevent the plant setting seed; this signals the plant to keep producing new "pincushions" until the first frosts of November. As a true cut-and-come-again variety, the more you harvest, the more the plant produces.
Where it shines
In sophisticated cottage borders where the moody dark colour adds proper depth and serves as a visual anchor — dark flowers against the typical summer palette of pinks, whites, lavenders and warm oranges "ground" the surrounding colours and prevent them competing with each other. As cut flowers for professional-standard moody bouquets. In modern designer cottage gardens that lean dark and architectural. With white companions (Ammi majus, Cosmos 'Purity') for high-contrast monochrome drama; with warm companions (Rudbeckia, Achillea), the dark maroon echoes and deepens the warm palette.
Plant alongside
For the classic florist combination, pair 'Black Knight' with Cosmos 'Purity' for the monochrome moody-and-clean professional-bouquet partnership, plus Ammi majus for textural lace against the heavy velvet domes — the trio is a staple of modern wedding floristry. With Scabious 'Imperial Mix' for tonal Scabious layering. With Hollyhock 'Nigra' and Poppy 'Black Peony' for an all-dark cottage Gothic scheme.
Delivery
The seeds will be dispatched direct to you by Bishy Barnabees. Please allow up to 5 days for delivery.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery:
Delivery to mainland UK is calculated at checkout. For all other areas and large orders please ask for a quote. Orders will be sent by express next day delivery (DPD). They will be dispatched on a next working day service, with the exception of Ireland where it may take two days. Please allow up to 48 hours for delivery in the UK as the couriers may have already been and collected on the day you send your order in. Smaller orders for pouches, pockets, bags and pots may be sent via Royal Mail delivery. Please ensure you supply an email address and a mobile so you can be updated about your delivery. Should you have any problems with your delivery, please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk.Special Deliveries
Saturday or weekday morning deliveries can be arranged, but there will be a surcharge. Please contact us to request a price for either of these delivery services. If you need a parcel sending outside of the UK, please contact us for a quote.Returns:
If you are not completely happy with any product that you have ordered from us, you may return it to us in its original condition any time within 14 calendar days from the date of dispatch. Products must be returned in their original condition. Please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk to arrange a return. If you return a product by post, you will need to pay the costs of returning the product to us and obtain proof of posting.
Be a smarter gardener
Gardening organically is a more affordable and long term alternative to using chemical fertilisers. Natural Grower products eliminate waste because the nutrients are slowly released to the plants as they need them. Over the long-term you save money because your soil health naturally improves, which in turn produces healthier, stronger, disease resistant plants. Chemical products may cost less financially in the short term, but they don’t provide any long-term benefits and the damage they do to the natural eco-system in the soil is costly.
Slow release for sustained growth
Organic fertilisers are broken down slowly by organisms in the soil to produce a more measured, consistent, natural release of nutrients. This results in uniform growth with strong stems and leaves, unlike chemical fertilisers which provide a sudden boost resulting in tall lanky plants. Stronger plants are more resistant to disease, and with the presence of mycorrizhal fungi to strengthen the roots, the plants, soil and fungi all work together long-term to create the perfect natural eco-system.
Love your land
The organic matter in Natural Grower will help keep your soil or compost in optimum condition, retain moisture over the dry summer months and improve the health and structure of your soil. The presence of natural Mycorrhizal fungi in our products enhances root growth, enabling plants to extract nutrients and absorb water more efficiently from the soil or compost. By using our products you will be supporting and enhancing the natural eco-system in the soil.
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Natural Grower’s chemical free fertiliser products are approved organic, biodynamic and vegan. Plant-based and free from chemicals they are safe to use around wildlife, pets and children. Eco-friendly and sustainably produced in the UK. Our packaging is made from recycled plastic where possible and is all 100% recyclable. We are always happy to refill used containers, and often sell our products in reused containers or slightly damaged packaging at a reduced price. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
