About
The Polka Dot Series of Centaurea cyanus consists of annual cornflowers that reach a height of approximately 50 cm when in bloom. These plants feature narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are grey-green in color. Throughout the summer, they produce prominent flower heads available in a diverse palette, including shades of white, pink, red, purple, and blue.
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
- 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
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, 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, unless seed is required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed (sown outdoors) in early spring. Sow successionally rather than all at once for a longer show of flowers
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and rust diseases