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Stemmacantha centaureoides (Silver thistle)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
1.2m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Stemmacantha centaureoides
Other names
Centaurea cynaroides, Centaurea 'Pulchra Major', Leuzea centaureoides, Serratula cynaroides , Rhaponticum centauroides, Silver thistle, Cardoon knapweed
Genus
Stemmacantha Stemmacantha
Species
S. centaureoides - S. centaureoides is a clump-forming perennial with narrowly ovate, pinnate, dark green leaves, grey-green and hairy beneath. Tall stems bear large buds with bristly, glossy, silvery green bracts opening to deep pink or purple-pink flower heads in summer.
Stemmacantha centaureoides is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem
Flower
Pink, Purple-pink in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Deadhead to prolong the flowering season.
Propagation methods
Division, Root cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Stemmacantha centaureoides (Silver thistle) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.6m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Containers, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. May require staking.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed
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
Stemmacantha centaureoides
Other names
Centaurea cynaroides, Centaurea 'Pulchra Major', Leuzea centaureoides, Serratula cynaroides , Rhaponticum centauroides, Silver thistle, Cardoon knapweed
Genus
Stemmacantha Stemmacantha
Species
S. centaureoides - S. centaureoides is a clump-forming perennial with narrowly ovate, pinnate, dark green leaves, grey-green and hairy beneath. Tall stems bear large buds with bristly, glossy, silvery green bracts opening to deep pink or purple-pink flower heads in summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem
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Colour
Flower
Pink, Purple-pink in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Deadhead to prolong the flowering season.
Propagation methods
Division, Root cuttings, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Stemmacantha centaureoides (Silver thistle) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.6m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Containers, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. May require staking.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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