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Cornflower 'Black Ball'

Centaurea cyanus | Blue-Bottle, Bachelor's Buttons

Pincushion flowers in a rich milk-chocolate shade

Will attract bees and butterflies to their pretty blooms

Makes an excellent cut flower

Some parts of this variety are edible - Don't forget to check out our Edible Flowers Guide

This product is produced and supplied in association with Thompson & Morgan

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Description Sowing More Info Delivery Reviews
Pincushion flowers in a rich milk-chocolate shade, that look almost black on cloudy days. Drifts of annual cornflower 'Black Ball' add a touch of drama to summer borders and wildlife gardens where they will attract bees and butterflies to their pretty blooms. This tall variety of Centaurea makes an excellent cut flower too. Height: 75cm (30"). Spread: 30cm (12").

Culinary note: Add petals to salads as a colourful garnish or sprinkle over omelettes or even pasta. For more details about edible flowers click here.


1 Packet (100 Seeds) (23802)

Sow cornflower seeds outdoors where they are to grow from March to April. Choose a position in full sun on well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 3mm (1/8") in drills spaced 30cm (12") apart. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes 14-21days. When cornflower seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 15cm (6") apart.


Alternatively, grow cornflowers indoors from August to September for early summer flowering next year. Sow cornflowers on the surface of a good quality seed compost at a temperature of 18-23C (65-73F) and cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Do not exclude light as this helps germination. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to move outdoors. Overwinter cornflowers plants in cool, light, frost-free conditions before planting out the following spring, or growing on as greenhouse pot plants.

Water regularly until plants are fully established. Deadhead faded cornflower blooms to prolong the flowering period.

Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.

Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.

Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99.

Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.

Large items may incur a higher delivery charge - this will be displayed in your shopping basket.

Please see our Delivery page for further details, and more information on different charges that may apply to certain destinations.

For more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes.

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