Description
Lesser Knapweed Plug Plants Centaurea nigra
Common names include common knapweed and black knapweed.
With distinctive reddish purple thistle-like flowers, this easy-to-grow perennial wildflower species makes a striking addition to your garden or mini meadow.
Ideal for wildlife gardens, wildflower meadows, informal cottage gardens and flower beds and borders, lesser knapweed has a long flowering season from early summer to September.
It is excellent for the wildlife in your garden; its nectar is a food source for hoverflies, honey bees and bumblebees, and for moths and butterflies such as painted ladies, small skippers and chalkhill blues. It has large edible seeds which, in the autumn, are enjoyed by many birds including goldfinches.
Sourced from native seed and grown for us in the UK, our plug plants are an ideal way to boost species in a wildflower meadow or to easily establish plants in your garden or in areas where seed germination can be erratic.
We recommend planting 5 plugs per metre square in groups of at least 3 per species for a naturalistic look.
Colour | Reddish-purple |
Height | 30-60cm |
Latin name | Centaurea nigra |
Season | June-September |
Setting | Most soil types |