Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Centaurea scabiosa (Greater knapweed)
2 hours care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Centaurea scabiosa
Other names
Greater knapweed, Black top
Genus
Centaurea Centaurea
Species
C. scabiosa - C. scabiosa has an upright habit with red-purple flowers heads and enlarged outer florets.
Centaurea scabiosa is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Open branches, Spreading
Flower
Purple, Red in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Powdery mildew Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation methods
Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Centaurea scabiosa (Greater knapweed) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Bees (attract & feed bees), Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Sow seeds in thier final position in early autumn or early spring. Thin out seedlings to 25 apart. Prefers a well-drained, fertile soil in sun. Tolerant of dry, alkaline soils and established plants are tolerant of considerable neglect. Self-seeding and
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Centaurea scabiosa
Other names
Greater knapweed, Black top
Genus
Centaurea Centaurea
Species
C. scabiosa - C. scabiosa has an upright habit with red-purple flowers heads and enlarged outer florets.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Open branches, Spreading
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Purple, Red in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Centaurea scabiosa (Greater knapweed) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Bees (attract & feed bees), Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Sow seeds in thier final position in early autumn or early spring. Thin out seedlings to 25 apart. Prefers a well-drained, fertile soil in sun. Tolerant of dry, alkaline soils and established plants are tolerant of considerable neglect. Self-seeding and
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
Centaurea scabiosa (Greater knapweed)
Centaurea scabiosa (Greater knapweed)
Centaurea scabiosa (Greater knapweed)
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Following the success of the gold medal winning L'Occitane Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year, L'Occitane is delighted to return to Chelsea once again in 2016 with a new show garden to… read more
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Centaurea scabiosa
There are 2 active discussions about Centaurea scabiosa (Greater knapweed)
View all discussions