Amberboa moschata

RHS Plant Profile
sweet sultan

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Other common names

sultan flower

Synonyms

Centaurea moschata
Centaurea imperialis hort.
Centaurea margaritae hort.
Centaurea suaveolens

Annual Biennial

A branching annual to around 60cm high, with grey-green leaves that are toothed at the base of the plant and pinnately divided on the stems. Sweetly scented, thistle-like flowers in shades of yellow, pink, purple and white are produced on upright stems from late spring to summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Amberboa are upright annuals or biennials with grey-green leaves and solitary flowers with a thistle-like centre of disc florets and outer rings of long, soft, fringed ray florets
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in well-drained, neutral or alkaline soil in full sun. May require light staking

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Plants resent root disturbance, so sow in situ in spring, or grow young plants under glass over winter and plant out in potfuls in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to encourage flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews