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Centaurea cyanus ‘Black Ball’

Cornflower

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does not flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does flower in July

Plant does flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

  • Botanical name: Centaurea cyanus 'Black Ball'
  • Common name: Cornflower
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Plant Type: Annual
Flower colour:

Purple

Foliage colour:

Blue​/​Green

The annual blue cornflower, Centaurea cyanus, is a slender plant bearing pretty flowers in rich shades of blue. It’s commonly used in pictorial and annual meadow schemes, and makes an excellent cut flower. Cultivars of the species may have red, pink, and white flowers.

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Centaurea cyanus ‘Black Ball’ bears unusual chocolate-coloured flowers on thin wiry stems. It’s extremely attractive to bees.

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For best results, grow Centaurea cyanus ‘Black Ball’ in moist but well-drained soil, in full sun. The wiry plants may need support in exposed situations. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering in summer, but leave seeds to develop towards autumn, as these will provide food for birds.

How to grow Centaurea 'Black Ball'

  • Plant size

    75cm height

    30cm spread

  • Aspect

    South facing, west facing

  • Position in border

    Front

  • Sun exposure: Full sun
  • Hardiness: Hardy
  • Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy

Plant calendar

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sow
Sow

Do not Sow in January

Do not Sow in February

Do Sow in March

Do Sow in April

Do not Sow in May

Do not Sow in June

Do not Sow in July

Do not Sow in August

Do not Sow in September

Do not Sow in October

Do not Sow in November

Do not Sow in December

Plant
Plant

Do not Plant in January

Do not Plant in February

Do not Plant in March

Do not Plant in April

Do Plant in May

Do Plant in June

Do not Plant in July

Do not Plant in August

Do not Plant in September

Do not Plant in October

Do not Plant in November

Do not Plant in December

Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does not flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does flower in July

Plant does flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Centaurea 'Black Ball' and wildlife

Centaurea 'Black Ball' is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, birds and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and has seeds for birds.

Attractive to Bees

Attractive to Beneficial insects

Attractive to Birds

Does not attract Butterflies​/​Moths

Attractive to Other pollinators

Is Centaurea 'Black Ball' poisonous?

Centaurea 'Black Ball' has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:

No reported toxicity to Birds

No reported toxicity to Cats

No reported toxicity to Dogs

No reported toxicity to Horses

No reported toxicity to Livestock

No reported toxicity to People

Plants that go well with Centaurea 'Black Ball'