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A wonderfully independent flower for trouble-free displays from June to October. Scabiosa are a cottage garden favourite, and this unusually coloured variety will also fit well into modern planting schemes, wildlife gardens, prairie planting and rockeries to name but a few. Blooms offer a rich source of nectar and are loved by pollinators – particularly bees and butterflies – who will add their animated beauty to your garden. Strong, slender flower stems make Scabiosa atropurpurea ‘Black Knight’ perfect for a vase too. The name ‘scabiosa’ harkens to the ancient medicinal use of the plants to treat what was once a common mite affliction – scabies. Etymology is from the Latin word ‘scabiousus’, meaning rough or itchy – which is the effect mites have upon the skin. A rather unpleasant association for such a beautiful and long admired flower! Scabiosa atropurpurea ‘Black Knight’ prefers well-drained soil of any type except chalk based. Plant in full sun and these hardy, herbaceous perennials will reach a height of 90cm with a spread of around 50cm.
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Key Information
| Latin Name | Scabiosa atropurpurea ‘Black Knight’ |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Scabious, Pincushion Flower |
| Hardiness | H4 (-5 to -10°C) |
| Colour | Red |
| Format | Young Plants |
| Position | Full-Sun |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Height in Maturity (m) | 0.90 m |
| Spread in Maturity (m) | 0.50 |
| Soil Conditions | Clay Loam Sand |
| Soil Acidity | Alkaline Neutral |
| Aspect | South-facing |
| Scented | Yes |
| Good for pots | Yes |
| Good for Rockeries | Yes |
| Good for wildlife | Yes |
| Good for pollinators | Yes |
| Good for cutting | Yes |
