Centaurea montana 'Parham'

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perennial cornflower 'Parham'

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perennial cornflower 'Parham' John Fielding

Synonyms

Centaurea montana 'Parham Variety'

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming perennial to around 60cm high in flower, with a spreading habit and simple, downy green leaves. Flowers from early to mid summer, with slender stems bearing buds encased in overlapping bracts, which open to large, showy flowers with a ring of lavender blue outer florets, surrounding a crowd of tiny white flowers with purple tips

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or 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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming, 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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. May benefit from support to prevent flopping, see staking perennials

Propagation

Propagate by division, separating rhizomes in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh foliage, may produce a second flush in late summer

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and rust diseases