Mr Fothergill’s Cornflower Black Ball Seeds

Mr Fothergills Cornflower Black Ball Seeds produce rich, deep claret blooms that add dramatic contrast and classic cottage garden charm, while also supporting pollinators and beneficial wildlife.

Key Features

• Deep claret-coloured flowers for bold visual impact
• Hardy annual that is easy to grow and reliable
• Ideal for cottage gardens, borders and cut flowers
• Highly attractive to bees and butterflies
• RHS Plants for Pollinators variety
• Flowers in the same year as sowing

Product Description

Mr Fothergills Cornflower Black Ball (Centaurea cyanus) is a striking and unusual variety, producing intensely coloured blooms in a rich claret shade rather than true black. This traditional cottage garden favourite adds depth and contrast when planted alongside lighter-coloured flowers. Easy to grow and quick to establish, Black Ball cornflowers thrive in a wide range of conditions and flower freely throughout summer. Their nectar-rich blooms attract bees and butterflies, while the seed heads can also provide food for birds later in the season. With long stems and strong colour, they are excellent for cutting and informal floral arrangements.

Specifications

• Brand: Mr Fothergills
• Product type: Flower seeds
• Botanical name: Centaurea cyanus
• Genus: Annuals / Bedding
• Plant class: Hardy annual
• Flower colour: Deep claret / red
• Plant height: Approximately 75cm (30in)
• Habit: Bushy, medium
• Situation: Sun or partial shade
• Suitable for: Borders and cut flowers
• Wildlife attraction: Bees and butterflies (RHS Plants for Pollinators)
• Seed quantity: 250 seeds
• Flowers / Harvest: July to September

Planting & Care Tips

• Sow directly outdoors from March to May for summer flowering
• Autumn sowings from August to October give earlier blooms the following year
• Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade
• Thrives even in poorer or chalky soils
• Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering

Why Choose Cornflower Black Ball Seeds?

Ideal for gardeners seeking dramatic colour with classic cottage garden appeal, Mr Fothergills Cornflower Black Ball Seeds offer easy growing, pollinator-friendly blooms and excellent cut flowers – perfect for adding depth and contrast to summer borders.