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Centaurea montana (Perennial cornflower)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Centaurea montana
Other names
Perennial cornflower, Mountain bluets, Knapweed, Mountain knapweed, Great blue-bottle, Mountain centaury
Genus
Centaurea Centaurea
Species
C. montana - C. montana is a low-growing perennial cornflower with electric blue flowers with a red centre in summer.
Centaurea montana is: Deciduous
Habit
Upright
Flower
Dark-blue in Spring; Dark-blue in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Powdery mildew Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Deadhead to prolong the flowering season.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame in spring. Divide in autumn or spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Centaurea montana (Perennial cornflower) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Prairie planting, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Typically requires staking. Autumn sowing will produce larger, earlier-flowering plants.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Centaurea montana
Other names
Perennial cornflower, Mountain bluets, Knapweed, Mountain knapweed, Great blue-bottle, Mountain centaury
Genus
Centaurea Centaurea
Species
C. montana - C. montana is a low-growing perennial cornflower with electric blue flowers with a red centre in summer.
Native to
Europe
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Upright
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Colour
Flower
Dark-blue in Spring; Dark-blue in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Deadhead to prolong the flowering season.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame in spring. Divide in autumn or spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Centaurea montana (Perennial cornflower) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Prairie planting, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Typically requires staking. Autumn sowing will produce larger, earlier-flowering plants.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
(10/05/2011)
(12/06/2012)
(22/05/2010)
(06/06/2011)
Centaurea montana, unknown type. SE England, June 2013. (26/06/2013)
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
This plant is featured at Chelsea Flower Show 2009
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