Centaurea 'Totnes Fat Lemon' — Clump forming, Spreading branched

Overview

Centaurea 'Totnes Fat Lemon' is a clump forming, spreading branched herbaceous perennial in the genus Centaurea, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Centaurea 'Totnes Fat Lemon' 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 'Totnes Fat Lemon' is a clump-forming, spreading-branched herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae with deciduous foliage. It flowers from June to September. Plant in full sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained soils, including chalk, clay, loam or sand. Suitable for exposed or sheltered sites and for south-, east- or west-facing aspects in UK gardens.

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

In the garden

Centaurea 'Totnes Fat Lemon' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial belonging to the Asteraceae. It has a spreading-branched habit and loses its foliage in winter. Flowering runs from June to September, providing a clear summer display. Give it full sun or a spot with some afternoon shade on hotter sites. It will grow in a wide range of soils — chalk, clay, loam or sand — so long as they remain moist but well drained. The cultivar tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline pH and will cope in both exposed and sheltered positions. In British hardiness terms it spans H5 to H7, so it is winter-hardy across most of the UK from hardy (H5) through fully hardy (H7) conditions. Use Centaurea 'Totnes Fat Lemon' where its clump-forming habit is an asset: in flower borders and beds, as informal ground cover, in cottage and coastal plantings and in wildlife-friendly schemes. It also works as a source of cut flowers during its June–September bloom period. Positioning plants where stems can be cut without disturbing adjacent planting makes it straightforward to harvest blooms for the garden table.

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 'Totnes Fat Lemon' 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 'Totnes Fat Lemon'

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 'Totnes Fat Lemon'?

Centaurea 'Totnes Fat Lemon' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Centaurea 'Totnes Fat Lemon' need?

Centaurea 'Totnes Fat Lemon' 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 'Totnes Fat Lemon' hardy in the UK?

Centaurea 'Totnes Fat Lemon' 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 'Totnes Fat Lemon'?

Seed, Division.

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