Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White' (Cupid's Dart) — perennial herbaceous

Overview

Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White' is a perennial herbaceous in the genus Catananche, part of the Asteraceae family. Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White' grows best in full sun, and tolerates well-drained soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens and dried flower arrangements. It is native to Italy, Spain, Baleares, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Portugal and France.

About

Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White' is a perennial herbaceous member of the Asteraceae grown for its papery white flowerheads held above a grey-green basal rosette. It forms a low clump of softly haired leaves with erect flowering stems. Flowers appear in summer and are well suited to cutting and drying. Plants tolerate a range of lean, well-drained soils in sunny positions.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Catananche caerulea

About the genus

Catananche is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is native to dry meadows in the Mediterranean region.

Wikipedia contributors, "Catananche", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Catananche

In the garden

Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White' originates from the Mediterranean and brings a distinctly continental character to the garden: a basal rosette of softly haired, grey-green leaves topped by papery white heads. It belongs to the daisy family and performs as a herbaceous perennial in UK conditions. Flowering runs from June to August. Place it in a sunny, well-drained spot and avoid heavy, waterlogged ground; the plant prefers dry to medium soil moisture. Give a free-draining border, gravel bank or raised bed where water moves away quickly. It carries an H5 rating (hardy), so it will survive typical UK winters without special winter protection when planted in a suitable site. Use 'Perry's White' in mixed sunny borders and rock gardens, or grow it in a gravel or Mediterranean-style bed. The papery heads make long-lasting cut or dried arrangements; pick them when fully open to retain form and colour. A seasonal pinch of spent stems after flowering will keep the clump tidy and encourage fresh summer rebloom the following year.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Catananche

Sunlight: full sun
Soil type: well-drained
Soil moisture: dry to medium
UK hardiness: H5

Plant details

Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: perennial herbaceous
Suggested uses: borders, rock gardens, dried flower arrangements
Native to: Italy, Spain, Baleares, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Portugal, France

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White'

Cultivation: Prefers well-drained soil in full sun; drought tolerant once established.
Pruning: Deadhead to prolong flowering; cut back after flowering to maintain shape.
Propagation: Seed, division

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White'?

Prefers well-drained soil in full sun; drought tolerant once established.

Where is the best place to plant Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White'?

Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White' prefers full sun.

What soil does Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White' need?

Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White' grows best in well-drained soil. Aim for soil that stays dry to medium.

How do I prune Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White'?

Deadhead to prolong flowering; cut back after flowering to maintain shape.

Is Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White' hardy in the UK?

Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.

How do I propagate Catananche caerulea 'Perry's White'?

Seed, division.

More in the Catananche genus

Browse all Catananche →