Centaurea dealbata 'Steenbergii'

RHS Plant Profile
mealy centaury 'Steenbergii'

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mealy centaury 'Steenbergii' RHS 2002

Synonyms

Centaurea dealbata 'Steenbergii'

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming perennial to 1m tall with narrowly oval, lobed pale green leaves with whitish-grey hairs underneath. In summer, flowerheads on upright flower stems comprise a ring of dark carmine-pink, deeply-fringed outer petals surrounding a centre of white-tinged inner petals

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–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
Drought Resistance
Yes

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
Genus
A genus of clump-forming, often woody herbaceous perennials with grey-green dissected leaves and showy pink, purple or white flowers
Name Status
Synonym

How to Grow

Cultivation

Any well-drained soil in full sun; good drought resistance. A fairly dry, poor soil is best as plants can be invasive if soil is rich and moist.

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or propagate by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

deadhead regularly to prolong flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews