About
Centaurea pullata is a compact annual that reaches heights of approximately 30cm when in bloom. Its lobed green foliage is adorned with fine white hairs. The plant flowers from late spring through summer, developing buds that are enveloped in overlapping green bracts. When they open, they reveal vibrant purple flowers, featuring a circle of larger outer florets encircling clusters of smaller central florets.
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
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in almost any well-drained soil in full sun. Thrives in poor soils but will not tolerate waterlogging
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed (sown outdoors) in early spring. Sow successionally rather than all at once for a longer show of flowers
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and rust diseases