Centaurea cyanoides
A Mediterranean annual to about 30cm high, with narrow, lance-shaped grey-green leaves. Flowers in spring and early summer, producing buds encased in overlapping bracts with hairy edges, which open to small flowers 2-3cm across, with a ring of showy, vivid blue outer florets surrounding tiny pale purple flowers in the centre
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Centaurea may be annuals, perennials or subshrubs, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and showy thistle-like flowers-heads, often with enlarged outer florets
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in almost any well-drained soil in full sun. Thrives in poor soils but will not tolerate waterlogging
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Rock garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead to encourage more flowers
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and rust diseases
Get involved
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