About
Centaurea cyanoides is an annual plant native to the Mediterranean region, typically reaching heights of around 30 cm. It features narrow, lanceolate leaves that are grey-green in color. Blooming occurs in spring and early summer, when the buds are surrounded by overlapping bracts with hairy margins. The flowers, measuring 2-3 cm in diameter, consist of bright blue outer florets that encircle a cluster of small pale purple central flowers.
About the genus
Centaurea includes annuals, perennials, and subshrubs, characterized by simple or pinnately lobed foliage and prominent flower heads resembling thistles, frequently featuring enlarged outer florets.
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
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Rock garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in almost any well-drained soil in full sun. Thrives in poor soils but will not tolerate waterlogging
- Pruning
- Deadhead to encourage more flowers
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and rust diseases