Details
 
Centaurea montana is a rhizomatous perennial with simple or lobed leaves, hairy beneath, and blue flower-heads 5cm across, reddish in the centre, from late spring to summer
 
 
 
Hardiness
 
H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
 
 
 
Sunlight
 
Full Sun, Partial Shade
 
 
 
Aspect
 
South-facing, North-facing, East-facing or West-facing
 
 
 
Exposure
 
Exposed or Sheltered
 
 
 
Moisture
 
Moist but well-drained
 
 
 
Soil
 
Loam, Chalk, Sand, Clay
 
 
 
pH 
 
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
 
 
 
Size
 
Ultimate height: 0.1-0.5 metres
 
Ultimate spread: 0.5-1 metres
 
Time to ultimate height: 2-5 years
 
 
 
How to grow
 
Cultivation
 
Best grown in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, needs staking
 
 
 
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
 
Flower borders and beds Cut Flowers Cottage & Informal Garden Wildlife Gardens Prairie Planting Coastal
 
 
 
How to care
 
Pruning
 
Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering
 
 
 
Pests
 
Generally pest free
 
 
 
Diseases
 
May be affected by powdery mildews