About
Centaurea orientalis is a perennial plant that grows in clumps, reaching heights of up to 1.2 meters during its blooming period. It features elongated green foliage, which may be either finely dissected or fully divided into slender, lance-shaped segments. From summer through early autumn, this species develops sizable buds surrounded by overlapping, light brown bracts, which eventually unfold into vibrant yellow flower heads filled with numerous narrow petals and noticeable stamens.
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
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Prairie planting, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- SE Eur. to W Asia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in almost any well-drained soil in full sun. Thrives in poor soils but will not tolerate waterlogging
- Pruning
- Deadhead to encourage more flowers, unless seed is required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or by division, separating rhizomes in autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and rust diseases