Overview
Centaurea cynaroides is a garden plant in the genus Centaurea, part of the Asteraceae family. It is native to Canary Is..
About
Centaurea cynaroides is a species of Centaurea in the aster family Asteraceae and is known in English as cornflower or knapweed. It is native to the Canary Islands. In cultivation it is primarily valued for its flowering season, which runs from June to September. The species is a member of a genus with many closely related taxa, so identification and care are species-specific.
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 cynaroides belongs to the genus Centaurea within the family Asteraceae and originates from the Canary Islands. In the UK context the plant’s principal feature for gardeners is its flowering period, which occurs from June to September. As with many island endemics, provenance and correct naming are important for accurate identification and for sourcing material suited to a particular site. Requirements for siting and care can vary widely between Centaurea species, so follow guidance specific to C. cynaroides when available. Where possible, obtain plants or seed from specialist nurseries, botanic collections or published horticultural sources that list this species by botanical name. Records of flowering time are useful when planning mixed borders or perennial displays because the species reliably flowers in the June–September window. Placement in a UK garden should be chosen once the plant’s cultivated behaviour is known from reliable sources; garden roles will depend on its eventual size, seasonality and how it responds to local conditions. For many gardeners the primary value of Centaurea cynaroides will be its summer bloom display from June to September, which defines when the plant contributes to a planting scheme.
Plant details
Centaurea cynaroides size, habit and characteristics
- Native to
- Canary Is.
More in the Centaurea genus
- Centaurea 'John Coutts'
- Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball'Cornflower
- Centaurea hypoleucaCornflower
- Centaurea hypoleuca 'John Coutts'Cornflower
- Centaurea montana 'Parham'Perennial Cornflower
- Centaurea rhaponticumCornflower
- Centaurea ruthenica
- Centaurea salonitanaCornflower
