Centaurea hypoleuca John Coutts

Centaurea hypoleuca 'John Coutts' is an herbaceous perennial with slightly fragrant bright pink to purple flowers. It is easy-to-grow and highly ornamental. Its bushy foliage provides a beautiful transition between different flowerings, ideal for enhancing flower beds.

The flowering spreads from June to late August and maintains the airy aspect typical of centaureas, despite a particularly dense and large head (up to 6cm (2in)). Its laciniate foliage bears alternate leaves. The leaves are a beautiful bright green on the front and grey-white on the back. A very bushy plant, it reaches 60cm (24in) in height. Its long flowering period makes it an ideal plant for the edge of a flower bed. Combine this sculptural plant with other centaureas of various colours, such as the mysterious 'Black Sprite', its alter ego the pure white Centaurea 'Alba', or the delightful Astrantia major 'Shaggy'. A beautiful flower, it will not feel out of place in a romantic garden. Not demanding, it adapts to all types of soil as long as it is exposed to full sun. It will also tolerate partial shade. Perfect for bouquets, it is an excellent melliferous plant and butterflies love it!