Pincushion Flower Seeds — Scabiosa atropurpurea Black Knight

One Of The Darkest, Most Dramatic Pincushion Flower You Can Grow

Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Black Knight' is one of the most striking and sought-after annuals in the cottage garden palette. The flowers are a deep, velvety maroon-purple — so dark they appear almost black in certain lights — each one a perfectly formed domed pincushion of tiny florets studded with delicate white stamens that catch the light like tiny stars against the dark bloom. Held on long, wiry stems above finely cut foliage, the contrast between the near-black blooms and those luminous white stamens is quite breathtaking. An outstanding cut flower with excellent vase life, 'Black Knight' is also irresistible to bees and butterflies, making it as valuable to the garden as it is to the vase. Once you grow it, it becomes an annual fixture.

Why Gardeners Love It

• 🌸 Dramatically dark flowers — deep velvety maroon-purple blooms so dark they appear almost black, each one studded with tiny white stamens that catch the light beautifully
• ✂️ Outstanding cut flower — long wiry stems and excellent vase life make 'Black Knight' a favourite for fresh arrangements; the dark blooms add depth and drama to any bouquet
• 🐝 Exceptional for pollinators — bees and butterflies are strongly attracted to the flowers throughout summer; one of the best annuals for beneficial insects
• 🌱 Easy to grow — direct sow or start in trays; Scabiosa is a reliable and generous annual that flowers prolifically with minimal fuss
• 🌿 Long flowering season — blooms from early summer through to autumn; deadhead regularly to keep the flowers coming over many weeks
• 🎨 Elegant, airy habit — the finely cut foliage and wiry stems give the plant a light, graceful quality that contrasts beautifully with the dark, velvety blooms

Growing Tips for New Zealand

Sow Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Black Knight' direct where it is to flower in spring, or start in trays in late winter for earlier blooms. Sow onto moist seed-raising mix and cover lightly. Thin or transplant seedlings to 30cm apart. Scabiosa prefers a sunny position with well-drained, preferably alkaline soil — add a little lime if your soil is acidic. It is quite drought tolerant once established and performs well across most NZ regions. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering; the more you cut, the more it blooms. An excellent companion for roses, cosmos, and other cottage garden favourites.

What's in the Packet

Each packet contains 8 seeds of Pincushion Flower Black Knight (Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Black Knight'), with growing instructions included.