Overview
Centaurea princeps is a clump forming, spreading branched herbaceous perennial in the genus Centaurea, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Centaurea princeps grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5, H7. Suggested uses include coastal, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and ground cover.
About
Centaurea princeps is a clump-forming, spreading branched cultivar of the Centaurea genus, which includes annuals, perennials, and subshrubs with simple or pinnately lobed foliage and distinctive flower heads resembling thistles. This deciduous plant thrives in full sun or partial shade, favouring fertile, moist but well-drained soils such as chalk, clay, loam, or sand with a range of pH levels. It is hardy in the UK (H5, H7) and is suitable for coastal, cottage, and wildlife gardens, as well as flower borders and ground cover. Interest is mainly during summer and autumn.
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
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Centaurea
- 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, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5, H7
Plant details
Centaurea princeps size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds, Ground cover
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Centaurea princeps
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, rust diseases
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Centaurea princeps?
Centaurea princeps prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Centaurea princeps need?
Centaurea princeps is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Centaurea princeps hardy in the UK?
Centaurea princeps has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Centaurea princeps?
Seed, Division.
More in the Centaurea genus
- Centaurea 'John Coutts'
- Centaurea cyanus 'Mauve Ball'Cornflower
- Centaurea hypoleucaCornflower
- Centaurea hypoleuca 'John Coutts'Cornflower
- Centaurea montana 'Parham'Perennial Cornflower
- Centaurea rhaponticumCornflower
- Centaurea ruthenica
- Centaurea salonitanaCornflower
