Knight
Scabiosa atropurpurea
Almost black, 1 1/2-2 1/2" blooms stand tall on strong, slender stems. A dramatic addition to any bouquet or garden. Also known as mourningbride.
Harvest
90-100d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
2-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Knight in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 pea →Zone Map
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Knight · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | July – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | June – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | June – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | May – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | April – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Bloom time: Fall, Spring, Summer
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Knight peas maintain peak quality for only 2-3 days after harvest, so process them quickly. Store unwashed pods in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer at 32-40°F. For longest freshness, shell peas just before eating, as pods protect the peas from moisture loss.
For freezing, blanch shelled peas in boiling water for 90 seconds, then plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in single layers before transferring to freezer bags. Properly frozen Knight peas maintain quality for 8-12 months.
Knight peas also preserve beautifully through dehydration. Shell fresh peas and blanch for 2 minutes, then dehydrate at 125°F until completely dry and hard. Dried peas rehydrate well for soups and stews. Avoid canning fresh Knight peas unless you have a pressure canner, as their low acidity requires pressure processing for safety.
History & Origin
Origin: Southern Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought
- +Attracts: Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in., Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- +Wildlife value: Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Carrots
Peas improve soil nitrogen for carrots, while carrots break up soil for pea roots
Radishes
Break up compacted soil and deter pea weevils and aphids
Lettuce
Benefits from nitrogen fixed by peas and provides ground cover
Spinach
Thrives in nitrogen-rich soil created by peas and shares similar growing conditions
Chives
Repels aphids and other pests that commonly attack pea plants
Mint
Deters ants and mice that may eat pea seeds, repels aphids
Marigolds
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes that can damage pea plants
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, climbing variety supports pea vines
Keep Apart
Onions
Can inhibit pea growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Garlic
Releases compounds that can stunt pea growth and reduce yields
Gladiolus
Competes heavily for nutrients and can harbor thrips that damage pea pods
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170419)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to fusarium wilt and powdery mildew
Common Pests
Aphids, thrips, pea leaf weevil
Diseases
Root rot, bacterial blight, downy mildew