Overview

Centaurea montana 'Parham Variety' is a perennial in the genus Centaurea, part of the Asteraceae family. It typically grows around 0.5 m tall. Centaurea montana 'Parham Variety' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens and wildflower gardens. It is native to Belgium, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Yugoslavia and Poland.

About

Centaurea montana 'Parham Variety' is a perennial cornflower in the Asteraceae that produces blue-purple flowers. It grows to about 0.5 m and prefers a sunny aspect in full sun. Flowering runs from June to September, making it useful for summer colour. Suited to borders, rock gardens and wildflower plantings, it favours well-drained soils.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Centaurea montana

About the genus

Centaurea is a genus of over 700 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich.

Wikipedia contributors, "Centaurea", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Centaurea

In the garden

Centaurea montana 'Parham Variety' is a perennial member of the Asteraceae native to parts of central and eastern Europe, including Belgium, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Yugoslavia and Poland. Plants reach roughly 0.5 m and carry conspicuous blue‑purple blooms across the summer months from June to September. Plant this variety in a sunny position with full sun exposure. It tolerates a range of soil types — sandy, loamy or even clay — provided the soil drains reasonably well; it will also tolerate consistently moist but well‑drained conditions. The variety is fully hardy (H7) in UK gardens, so it can remain in the border through winter without the need for protection. Use Centaurea montana 'Parham Variety' in herbaceous borders where its summer flowers can sit above lower perennials, in gravel or rock gardens that offer a sunny, well‑drained pocket, or within wildflower areas for summer nectar. Plants remain around 0.5 m high, so allow room for flowering stems to show. Expect a succession of blue‑purple blooms from June to September on plants about 0.5 m tall.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Centaurea

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy, Clay

Soil moisture

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Aspect

Sunny

Exposure

Full sun

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Centaurea montana 'Parham Variety' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Height

0.5 m

Suggested uses

Borders, Rock gardens, Wildflower gardens

Native to

Belgium, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Yugoslavia, Poland

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Centaurea montana 'Parham Variety'

Cultivation

Prefers well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogging

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming; cut back after flowering to maintain shape

Propagation

Division in spring or autumn; seed

Frequently asked questions

More in the Centaurea genus

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  Centaurea 'John Coutts'
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  Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball'Cornflower
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  Centaurea hypoleucaCornflower
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  Centaurea hypoleuca 'John Coutts'Cornflower
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  Centaurea montana 'Parham'Perennial Cornflower
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  Centaurea rhaponticumCornflower
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  Centaurea ruthenica
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  Centaurea salonitanaCornflower