About

This upright annual reaches a height of 30 cm, featuring slender leaves and vibrant blue blooms that emerge in late spring and continue into summer.

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
Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Plant type
Annual Biennial
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
1 year
Suggested uses
Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow, Coastal, Patio and container plants

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun
Pruning
Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in-situ in spring
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to powdery mildews