Centaurea cyanus 'Black Ball' – Unique black cornflower for striking cut flowers and modern bouquets

Centaurea cyanus 'Black Ball' is a spectacular and rare cut flower that immediately stands out with its intense black flower head. This modern variety of the classic cornflower combines striking color with a strong, upright growth habit, making it a real eye-catcher in bouquets, field arrangements, and creative floral creations.

'Black Ball' offers florists and cut flower growers a unique product that is both aesthetically pleasing and commercially attractive. Thanks to its sturdy stems, long vase life, and versatile use, this variety is perfect for both fresh and dried flowers.

Striking black flowers with a compact structure

What makes Black Ball unique is its dark, almost deep-black flower head with a compact, spherical structure. Unlike traditional Centaurea cyanus, which has open, light-colored petals, Black Ball's spikes are dense, rounded, and uniform.

This intense colour makes the flower perfect for:

• modern and minimalist bouquets

• monochrome flower arrangements

• bridal work with contrasting accents

• botanical and graphic designs

• creative field bouquets and pick-your-own bouquets

The black flower head creates a striking contrast with other bright or pastel-colored blooms, adding a dramatic, luxurious element to any arrangement.

Strong, long stems for cut flower cultivation

Centaurea cyanus 'Black Ball' forms long, straight stems of 60–90 cm, making it ideal for cut flower use. The stems are sturdy and resistant to transport, making it ideal for professional floristry and retail sales.

The compact, spherical flowers combined with the long stems make Black Ball suitable for:

• loose bouquets

• large flower creations in vases

• packages for events and hotels

Even in large-scale production, this variety delivers high uniformity and reliably harvestable stems.

Long vase life and ideal for dried flowers

One of Black Ball's strong points is its long vase life, averaging 7–10 days, provided the flowers are harvested at the right time. The compact flower spikes retain their shape and color exceptionally well, meaning they still look dramatic and fresh even after several days in the vase.

The flower also lends itself perfectly to being dried. By harvesting the flowers in their semi-open stage and drying them slowly, the black flower head remains intact and retains its shape. Dried, Black Ball is ideal for:

• modern dried bouquets

• graphic and botanical wall decorations

• minimalist and industrial interior styling

The dark colour provides elegance and contrast in combination with light, neutral or pastel shades.

Cultivation advice for optimal cut stems

Black Ball is a robust summer bloomer that grows well in full sun and well-drained soil.

Key growing points:

• Sowing: February–April under glass or directly outside from April

• Plant out: after the last frost

• Planting distance: 20–25 cm for optimal stems and air circulation

• Soil: well-drained, light and nutritious

• Water: Regular, moderate water; does not tolerate wet feet

• Nutrition: Light fertilization encourages strong stems and compact flowers

• Support: optional in windy conditions

• Harvest: when the flower is half to almost fully open

Regular harvesting encourages new flowering, which extends the production period.

Why choose Centaurea cyanus 'Black Ball'?

• Deep black, compact flower spikes

• Long, straight stems (60–90 cm) ideal for cut flowers

• Long vase life (7–10 days)

• Perfect for fresh and dried flowers

• Suitable for cut bouquets, bridal work and modern arrangements

• Uniform growth and reliable harvest results

• Robust and heat resistant