About
Centaurea montana 'Alba' is a rhizomatous perennial that reaches a height of approximately 45 cm. It develops a dense mat of unbranched, grey-green foliage and features woolly stems that support white flower heads, which may show a slight pink hue. This plant typically blooms in late spring and early summer.
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, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
- Pruning
- Deadhead to prolong flowering and cut back to encourage fresh foliage
- Propagation
- Insert root cuttings in winter or propagate by division in spring. Propagate by seed, self sown seedling come fairly true
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews and downy mildew may be a problem