Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' (Cornflower) — Clump forming, Spreading branched

Overview

Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' is a clump forming, spreading branched herbaceous perennial in the genus Centaurea, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1.0 m tall and 1 metres wide. Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5, H7. Suggested uses include coastal, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and ground cover. It is native to Ukraine, Yugoslavia, Altay, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, New South Wales, Caucasus and Bulgaria.

About

Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' is a herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae that forms spreading, branched clumps to about 1.0 m. The plant is deciduous and flowers from June to September, producing compact flowerheads suited to cutting. It prefers full sun and will tolerate sandy, loamy or clay soils across a wide pH range so long as drainage is good. Hardy in most UK situations (H5–H7).

About the genus

Centaurea is a genus of over 700 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich.

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

In the garden

Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial with a broad native distribution that includes parts of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus as well as regions extending into western Russia and New South Wales. It has a spreading, branched habit and reaches around 1.0 m, dying back in winter as a deciduous perennial. Plant it in a sunny spot; full sun is best and south-, east- or west-facing positions all suit this cultivar. It will grow on sandy, loamy or clay soils and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline pH, but avoid waterlogged ground — soils described as well-drained or moist but well-drained are ideal. Exposure is flexible, performing in both exposed and sheltered sites. Hardiness is H5–H7, meaning it is hardy through typical UK winters, up to fully hardy in the coldest gardens. Use 'Mauve Ball' where height and a spreading habit are wanted: coastal situations, cottage and informal layouts, wildlife areas, flower borders and beds, or as a source of stems for cutting. Its clump-forming nature also makes it useful as a light ground cover where a taller summer presence is acceptable. Expect a dependable run of flowers from June to September for summer bouquets and border interest.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Centaurea

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Sandy, Loamy, Clay
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness: H5, H7

Plant details

Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
Habit: Clump forming, Spreading branched
Foliage: Deciduous
Height: 1.0 m
Spread: 1 metres
Suggested uses: Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds, Ground cover
Native to: Ukraine, Yugoslavia, Altay, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, New South Wales, Caucasus, Bulgaria

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball'

Propagation: Seed, Division
Pest resistance: Generally pest-free
Disease resistance: May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, rust diseases

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball'?

Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' need?

Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained to moist but well-drained.