About
This herbaceous perennial spreads through a network of grey-green leaves that are adorned with fine silvery hairs. In late spring and early summer, it produces thistle-like blooms that are white with purple centers, emerging from scaly buds.
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
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Best grown in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. May need staking
- Pruning
- Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering, and cut back in autumn
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring or autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews