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Annual Biennial

Centaurium erythraea
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

common centaury

Common centaury is a biennial, sometimes annual, hairless plant that forms basal rosettes and has oval, veined leaves. Flowers are borne in terminal clusters or onside shoots in June to September. They are pale pink, tubular and open to five lobes

Other common names
bitter herb
bloodwort
see moreChrist's ladder
earth gall
feverwort
bustl y ddaear
Synonyms
Centaurium erythraea umbellatum
Centaurium minus
see moreErythraea centaurium misapplied
Centaurium umbellatum
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Gentianaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Name status

Correct

Plant range
Eurasia

How to grow

Cultivation

Naturally occurs in dry or well-draining, grassy places such as chalk down land and sand dunes

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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