Scabiosa Black Knight is a dramatic, deep red, flower prized as a bouquet addition and for natural dyeing. It is a hardy annual or perennial, depending on growing conditions. It requires moderate moisture, damp soil, and relatively well draining soil, though it will tolerate clay. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. Bees, in particular, seem to go bonkers for scabiosa.

As a dye plant, Black Knight are an anthocyanin rich dye, meaning that they are pH sensitive so that the dye is easily modified with acidic or alkaline elements. They do require an alum, iron, or tannin mordant. The flowers will yeild anywhere from green to blue to purple, depending on the modifier.

Water Use: Light to Medium

Light Requirement: Sun

Soil Moisture: Damp

Soil type: Sand, clay, loam

Soil pH: 6-8

Drought Tolerance: Moderate

Perennial, biennial, or annual depending on growing conditions

Special attributes: Scabiosa are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies.