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. 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.
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
- 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.
How big does Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' grow?
Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' reaches a height of 1.0 m.
Is Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' hardy in the UK?
Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball' 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 Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball'?
Seed, Division.
More in the Centaurea genus
- Centaurea crassifolia
- Centaurea cyanus 'Snowman'cornflower 'Snowman'
- Centaurea dealbata
- Centaurea glastifoliawoad-leaved centaurea
- Centaurea jaceabrown knapweed
- Centaurea macrocephala
- Centaurea maculosa
- Centaurea montana
