Description

Montana Morado Maize Black is a striking heirloom-style ornamental corn known for its deep, dark purple to nearly black kernels and dramatic visual appeal. This unique maize type produces richly colored ears that are highly valued for fall décor, traditional displays, and natural dye potential. Its bold coloration makes it one of the most visually distinctive corn varieties in ornamental gardens.

In addition to its decorative qualities, Morado-type maize has cultural roots in Andean corn traditions and is appreciated for its hard, starchy kernels. While primarily grown for ornamental and specialty use, the kernels can also be ground into cornmeal or used in traditional recipes where a dense, richly colored flour is desired.

• Type: Open-pollinated heirloom ornamental/flint corn (annual)
• Direct sow: After last frost when soil is consistently warm
• Sun: Full sun
• Spacing: 10–12 inches
• Height: 6–8 feet
• Ear size: 7–10 inches
• Days to harvest: 95–110 days

Montana Morado Maize Black performs best in fertile, well-drained soil with steady moisture during early growth and pollination. Plant in blocks rather than single rows to ensure proper wind pollination and full ear fill. Allow ears to fully mature and dry on the stalk when possible to intensify kernel color and ensure best quality for ornamental or storage use.

Additional information