Centaurea cyanus
Black Gem

Now you do not have to wait for the black bachelor buttons to emerge from the mix. Centaurea cyanus ‘Black Gem’ produces ruffled, darkest maroon blooms that look almost black in the garden, creating a rich, dramatic contrast against its fine foliage with a silvery cast. Blooming from spring through summer, this easy annual brings moody cottage garden charm with very little fuss.

Also known as Black Gem Bachelor Button or cornflower, this variety is wonderful in cutting gardens, meadow-style plantings, pollinator borders, and sunny mixed beds. The deep wine-colored flowers are fabulous in bouquets, especially with pale pinks, creams, blues, silvers, and airy grasses. Growing about 2' tall and 1' wide, it slips easily into small spaces while still making a bold color statement.

Plant Centaurea cyanus ‘Black Gem’ in full sun with well-drained soil. It is easy to grow, beautiful for cutting, and may self-sow where happy, returning with more dark little treasures next season. Explore more classic cottage garden favorites in our Centaurea - Bachelor Buttons collection.

We guarantee that the plants we sell are healthy and viable at the time they leave our care.

If a plant arrives in substandard condition, please take clear photographs and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. To ensure eligibility under this guarantee, we strongly encourage you to open and unpack your shipment immediately upon delivery and inspect the plants thoroughly.

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$14.99 flat rate for up to 6 plants is for standard FedEx/UPS Ground shipping to eligible states only. $19.99 for up to 12 plants. Plants being shipped to the following states are sent via Express Mail to help ensure they arrive quickly and healthy. 

(AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV)
(list of states subject to change seasonally due to extreme heat or cold conditions)

We cannot ship Annie's Annuals plants to P.O. boxes or outside the continental U.S.

Individual plants are shipped in 4" pots and we ship in boxes of 4, 6, 8, or 12 plants per box.

For more details, read our full Ordering and Shipping Policies

Get your plants off to a strong start with our care guide.

Download the Plant Care Guide (PDF)