About
Centaurea montana 'Carnea' is a perennial that grows in clumps, reaching approximately 45 cm in height when in bloom. It features a spreading growth pattern and has simple, downy green foliage. This plant flowers from late spring to mid-summer, producing slender stems topped with buds protected by overlapping bracts. As the bracts open, they reveal large pale pink blooms, characterized by a circle of prominent outer florets encircling a cluster of small flowers adorned with deep purple stamens at the center.
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
- Clump forming, 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