About
Centaurea cyanus 'Black Ball' is an upright annual that reaches a height of up to 75 cm. It features simple or slightly lobed foliage and produces solitary flower heads that are deep red, measuring 3-4 cm in diameter, during the late spring and summer months.
About the genus
Centaurea includes annuals, perennials, and subshrubs, characterized by simple or pinnately lobed foliage and prominent flower heads resembling thistles, frequently featuring enlarged outer florets.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained soil in full sun
- Pruning
- Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in-situ in spring or autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews