About
Centaurea montana 'Black Sprite' is a clump-forming perennial that typically reaches a height of about 45 cm when in bloom. It has a spreading growth pattern and features simple, downy green foliage. This plant produces flowers from late spring into summer, with slender stems supporting buds surrounded by layered bracts. When these buds open, they reveal large, dark reddish-purple blooms, characterized by a ring of delicate outer florets encircling a cluster of nearly black central flowers.
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
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- 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, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. May benefit from support to prevent flopping, see staking perennials
- Pruning
- Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh foliage, may produce a second flush in late summer
- Propagation
- Propagate by division, separating rhizomes in autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and rust diseases