About
Centaurea montana 'Purple Heart' is a resilient, rhizomatous perennial that develops a compact mound of lance-shaped, grey-green foliage, characterized by a hairy underside and occasional toothed or lobed edges. From late spring through summer, it produces white flowers featuring a prominent purple 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, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Tolerates most soil types, best grown in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade or sun.
- Pruning
- Deadheading of faded flowers to prolong flowering season. Cutting back foliage after flowering may encourage second flush of flowers.
- Propagation
- Division in spring. Also grow from seed or root cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews