About

Centaurea dealbata 'Steenbergii' is a perennial that forms dense clumps, reaching heights of up to 1 meter. Its leaves are narrowly oval and lobed, displaying a pale green color with a fine coat of whitish-grey hairs on the underside. During the summer months, upright stems produce flower heads featuring a circle of dark carmine-pink outer petals that are deeply fringed, encircling inner petals that have a hint of white.

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.

Plant details

Height

0.5-1 metres

Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Care notes

Cultivation

Any well-drained soil in full sun; good drought resistance. A fairly dry, poor soil is best as plants can be invasive if soil is rich and moist.

Pruning

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or propagate by division in spring or autumn

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

May be affected by powdery mildews