About
Centaurea nigra is a perennial plant native to grasslands, typically growing between 75 and 90 centimeters in height. It features simple or pinnately lobed foliage and produces thistle-like flower heads that can reach up to 4 centimeters in diameter, characterized by prominent dark bracts.
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
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
- Native to
- NW to C Europe
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position. Tolerant of dry, alkaline soils and established plants are tolerant of considerable neglect. Self-seeds readily and may become a nuisance if not managed well. Suited to grasslands, meadows and woodland edges
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free. Resistant to browsing by deer
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews