Buy cornflower Centaurea cyanus 'Black Ball'

Centaurea cyanus 'Black Ball'

Position: full sun
Soil: well-drained, preferably poor soil
Rate of growth: average
Flowering period: May to July
Hardiness: hardy annual

Altogether charming, dark crimson flowers, which look almost black on cloudy days, sit on top of upright, branching stems, looking like miniature pom-poms. Ideally suited to wildflower meadows or naturalised planting schemes, the flowers will hold their colour well and will attract beneficial insects in their droves.
Garden care:In early autumn surface-sow in trays of good seed compost and over-winter in a cold frame or greenhouse, thinning out and potting on as they grow. These can be planted out in spring and produce early flowers. Alternatively, shallow-sow directly into a well-prepared seedbed in spring, thinning out to 15cm. This plant will produce more flowers when grown in poor soils, so don’t over-fertilise. Pinching out the growing tips will encourage bushier growth.
Sow: September-October or March-April
Flowering: May-July
Approximate quantity: 300 seeds.