Black Knight False Queen Anne's Lace

Black Knight False Queen Anne's Lace (Ammi majus 'Black Knight')

Black Knight False Queen Anne's Lace adds airy height and moody color to summer borders with umbrella-like flower heads that read as deep mauve to purple from a distance. Its fine, lacy foliage keeps the plant looking light even when it reaches tall, so it layers easily without blocking everything behind it. It is especially useful for adding that florist-style, meadowy texture that makes mixed plantings feel more natural and less staged. Grow it in drifts and you get an effortless, see-through screen of bloom that moves with the breeze and supports beneficial insects.

Distinctive Features

This hardy annual produces branching stems topped with rounded umbels of small flowers in dark mauve to purple tones, creating a dramatic contrast to its ferny, carrot-family foliage. The overall habit is upright and airy, often reaching about 3 to 5 feet tall and about 12 to 24 inches wide, with taller growth in rich soil and consistent moisture. Flowering typically runs from early to mid summer into late summer, and the dried heads can add texture as the season winds down. It is a standout cut flower and filler, bringing both color and lace-like structure to arrangements.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun for strongest stems and best flower color, with light part shade tolerated.
• Soil: Well-drained soil that is average to moderately fertile, avoiding persistently soggy ground.
• Water: Moderate moisture, water to establish and then water during extended dry spells for best flowering.
• Zones: Grown as an annual in all zones, and it can tolerate light frost once established.
• Notable Traits: Excellent cut flower, attracts beneficial insects, and may benefit from staking in wind or very rich soil.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant a bold drift as a focal point where the dark umbels can float above lighter companions and add depth to the color palette.
• Cut Flower Gardens: Grow in rows for long, branching stems that work as a dramatic bouquet filler.
• Cottage Borders: Weave into mixed plantings to add a soft, meadow-like layer without visual heaviness.
• Wildflower Plantings: Use to bring height and pollinator activity to naturalistic beds and beneficial insect strips.

Low Maintenance Care

• Staking: Provide light support in windy sites or when plants grow tall in richer soils.
• Deadheading: Cut spent heads for bouquets or to tidy the planting, and leave some to dry if you want seasonal texture.
• Watering: Water during drought to prevent stress and keep stems producing strong umbels.
• Handling: Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin, since sap can irritate some people.

Why Choose Black Knight False Queen Anne's Lace?

• Moody Color: Dark mauve to purple umbels add depth and contrast that is hard to get from typical summer annuals.
• Airy Texture: Lacy foliage and see-through bloom create a layered look that makes borders feel more natural.
• Pollinator Support: Umbels draw beneficial insects that help keep the garden more balanced.
• Cut Flower Value: Produces long stems that elevate arrangements with structure, volume, and a refined finish.

Black Knight False Queen Anne's Lace is most effective when planted in groups, where the tall, branching stems read as a soft veil rather than a single spike. Pair it with grasses, daisies, salvias, and other summer bloomers to create a relaxed, meadow-forward look with strong contrast. Give it sun, decent drainage, and a little support if needed, and it will reward you with dramatic umbels for the garden and the vase. If you want airy height with a darker edge, this annual delivers.