Centaurea 'Silver Feather'
A herbaceous perennial with a dense silvery down on leaves and stems, forming a bushy clump of finely divided leaves 30-40cm high. Flowers from early to late summer, with slender stems high above the foliage bearing buds encased in overlapping bracts, which open to showy, thistle-like, pale lilac-pink flowers
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple | Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in almost any well-drained soil in full sun. May be deciduous in cooler regions. Protect from excess winter wet and hard frosts
Propagation
Propagate by division, separating rhizomes in autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Cut flowers
- 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
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