About
Catananche caerulea is a herbaceous perennial that typically reaches heights of 50 to 90 cm. It features upright, grass-like foliage and produces branched clusters of daisy-like flowers, measuring 3 to 5 cm across, with dark centers and violet-blue petals from mid-summer through autumn. The seedheads, which develop after flowering, have a papery texture and add visual interest to the plant.
About the genus
Catananche comprises annuals or short-lived perennials characterized by slender leaves and single flower heads adorned with silvery bracts and long, strap-like florets. These plants are suitable for drying.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- C Europe to W Mediterranean
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Suited to any well-drained soil in full sun; good drought resistance. Often short-lived especially if grown on heavy soil
- Pruning
- Cut back after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. Propagate by division in spring or by root cuttings in winter
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews