IN BRIEF<\/strong><\/p>\n

What<\/strong> Large and complex genus of more than 600 species of both annual and perennials.<\/p>\n

Origins<\/strong> In the wild, centaureas are widely distributed across Europe and West Asia with a few native to America, although many have been introduced to different parts of the world. Centaurea nigra<\/em> and Centaurea\u00a0scabiosa<\/em> are both native to the UK.<\/p>\n

Season<\/strong> Varies. Most flower from May through to late autumn.<\/p>\n

Size<\/strong> Ranging from around 20cm tall for some of the smaller cornflowers to more than a metre for the more spectacular knapweeds.<\/p>\n

Conditions<\/strong> On the whole centaurea are happy in most soil types and will tolerate most positions except full shade.<\/p>\n

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Perhaps, the most widely grown is Centaurea montana<\/em>, sometimes known as mountain bluet. With deep-blue flowers from May onwards, gardeners tend to\neither love or loathe it on account of its running and seeding habit.<\/p>\n

With so much variety in size and colour of centaurea, these enchanting flowers will add months of colour to any garden.<\/p>\n

How to grow centaurea<\/h2>\nWhere to grow centaurea<\/h3>\n
They grow well in full or partial shade<\/a>, and they\u2019re not fussy about soil type, thriving in sand, clay or stony soils. In the wild many grow on chalk but they do well on our mildly acid soil. Like most plants, they prefer moist but free-draining soils, and although they will tolerate drought they won\u2019t thrive.<\/p>\n
How to deadhead centaurea<\/h3>\n
Deadheading will give you more flowers and prevent self-seeding, and you can easily remove excess shoots in spring. With the exception of Centaurea glastifolia<\/em> and Centaurea macrocephala<\/em>, which don\u2019t re-bloom<\/p>\n
When to cut back centaurea<\/h3>\nI cut plants back hard after flowering to ensure fresh stems and more flowers. I always leave some seedheads<\/a> for the goldfinches otherwise they\u2019d never forgive me.<\/p>\n
How to propagate centaurea<\/h3>\n
Most varieties can be propagated by division, either after flowering or in the spring, although some with thick roots can a take a while to re-establish. Those growing from a single root stock, such as Centaurea orientalis<\/em>, are best propagated by seed. And while all species can be propagated by seed, named varieties won\u2019t necessarily come true and, as they are extremely promiscuous, hybrids will often occur.<\/p>\n
How to care for centaurea<\/h3>\n
Make sure you don\u2019t overfeed your plants. I find a yearly dressing of compost and a tiny amount of balanced fertiliser in spring is all that\u2019s required.<\/p>\n
What to plant centaurea with<\/h3>\n
Centaurea mix well with most other garden plants, if you take into account their propensity to spread and give them sufficient room. They look particularly good in a naturalistic planting with other meadow<\/a> or prairie plants<\/a>. We grow them in general herbaceous beds and borders planted in a cottage garden style<\/a> alongside geums<\/a>, Siberian iris<\/a> and geraniums<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Problems with centaurea<\/h3>\n
Fresh leaves can be prone to slug damage<\/a> in early spring. Good garden hygiene in winter, such as removing old leaves and tidying around the plants, can greatly reduce problems, but a few holed leaves is no cause for despair as centaureas grow fresh leaf rapidly.<\/p>\n
The grey-leafed types can suffer from powdery mildew. Liming acid soils can reduce this but spraying with fungicide is rarely effective; by the time the problem is noticeable the leaves are usually old and the accompanying flush of flowers will be over. Instead it is better to cut back very hard \u2013 to the ground even \u2013 to remove any diseased leaves. Healthy foliage will soon grow and a new flush of flowers will be encouraged.<\/p>\n
The leaves surrounding the flower buds of Centaurea macrocephala<\/em> can sometimes be eaten by sawfly caterpillars. The best treatment is to turn a blind eye and simply ignore it as the flowers aren\u2019t affected.<\/p>\n
16 centaureas to grow<\/h2>\n
Centaurea montana<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
The mountain bluet is one of the most widely grown centaurea, with vivid blue flowers and silver-backed leaves. Its tendency to self-seed makes it loved and cursed by gardeners in equal measures. 50 cm.<\/p>\n
Centaurea Montana<\/em> \u2018Grandiflora\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Taller and with larger, more impressive flowers than the wild species. Its blue flowers have a brilliant red-purple centre in the typical cornflower shape. The silver-backed leaves, jewel-like buds and seedheads extend the season of interest for several weeks either side of flowering. 90cm<\/p>\n
Centaurea scabiosa<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
A tall, British native knapweed that has attractive, coppery buds and deep pink flowers. It was once used as an ointment to heal wounds. This species varies in height from 80-120cm.<\/p>\n
Centaurea<\/em> \u2018Blewit\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
This new hybrid between Centaurea triumfettii<\/em> and Centaurea montana<\/em> was introduced by Joe Sharman of Monksilver Nursery. The sky-blue flowers are held on smallish stems above the silver-grey leaves. 20-30cm.<\/p>\n
Centaurea montana<\/em> \u2018Purple Heart\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
This unusual new cultivar has a striking white flower with an amethyst-coloured centre that last throughout the summer. There\u2019s a very similar new cultivar called \u2018Amethyst in Snow\u2019, which may prove to be the same 45cm.<\/p>\n
Centaurea<\/em> \u2018Jordy\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
A stunning new hybrid of Centaurea montana<\/em> x Centaurea jacea<\/em>. Similar to Centaurea montana<\/em> in appearance but more upright and less spreading. The jewel-like, deep-burgundy flowers on tall stems always attract attention. 60-75cm<\/p>\n
Centaurea<\/em> \u2018Caramia\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
A new hybrid, valued as much for its interesting ball-shaped, black buds as for its fuchsia-pink flowers that flower from June to October. 45-60cm<\/p>\n
Centaurea<\/em> dealbata<\/em> (pink form)<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
An imposing perennial knapweed with large, finely divided, silver-backed leaves and white-centred, pink flowers that open from bronze buds in early June. 75cm x 90cm<\/p>\n
Centaurea dealbata<\/em> \u2018Steenbergii\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Impressive specimen plant that is remarkable for its vivid, magenta-pink flowers that last from June to August. It will form a large mound of leaves up to 80cm across. 60cm<\/p>\n
Centaurea nigra<\/em> \u2018Elstead\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
An unusual form of knapweed with longer ray florets creating a frilly effect. Blooms repeatedly throughout summer. It\u2019s a magnet for bees and butterflies, and goldfinches love to gorge on the seedheads. 80-90cm<\/p>\n
Centaurea bella<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9\u00a0Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
One of the smallest and most contained plants in the genus, it works well in rockeries<\/a> or on the edge of borders. Its delicate, pink flowers, held above rosettes of silver leaves, last from June to August. 20cm<\/p>\n
Centaurea cheiranthifolia<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
A much-admired species with unusually large, ivory-white flowers that appear in May and frequently remain in flower right through to July and often on into autumn. Soon forms a sizeable clump. 15-30cm<\/p>\n
Centaurea glastifolia<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
This useful plant has silver buds that many consider to be just as attractive as the small yellow thistle flowers that follow. It\u2019s a tall, elegant sun lover that deserves to be more widely grown 1.2m<\/p>\n
Centaurea orientalis<\/em><\/h3>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Pretty, delicate flowers on top of tall elegant stems and silver-grey leaves. An excellent choice for gardens that have free-draining soils as it re-blooms throughout the summer. Can grow to be very tall. 75-90cm<\/p>\n
Centaurea<\/em> \u2018Totnes Fat Lemon\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
An exciting new hybrid with vibrant yellow flowers and attractive silvery bronze flower buds. It manages to out-flower all the other yellow-flowered types but is frustratingly difficult to propagate. 80cm<\/p>\n
Centaurea montana<\/em> \u2018Ochroleuca\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
More compact and slower growing than the other montana cultivars. The large, ivory-white flowers, with contrasting black stamens, are held on short stems giving a neat, domed plant. 30cm<\/p>\n
Where to see and buy centaurea<\/h2>\n
Bide-A-Wee Cottage<\/a>, Stanton, nr Netherwitton, Morpeth, Northumberland NE65 8PR. Tel 01670 772238, bideawee.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n
Cotswold Garden Flowers<\/a>, Sands Lane, Badsey, Evesham, Worcestershire WR11 7EZ. Tel 01386 833849, cotswoldgardenflowers.co.uk<\/a><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n
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