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Perennial Cornflower Collection

Centaurea montana sp., Alba, Purple Heart
Perennial Cornflower, Mountain Cornflower, Great Blue-bottle, Mountain Bluet, Mountain Centaury

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Collection contains 3 plants

  • 1 x Centaurea montana Alba
  • 1 x Centaurea montana Coerulea
  • 1 x Centaurea montana Purple Heart

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

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A collection of Perennial cornflowers that includes the type species with blue flowers, a form with pure white flowers, and a variety with bicoloured flowers, white with a purple heart. Mountain cornflowers are fantastic perennials that grow in all soil types, all exposures and all regions. A perfect trio to plant to create a lovely, rustic scene, even in a rock garden!​
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20°C
Soil type
Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Flowering time April to June
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Collection items (3 plants)

Description

Discover this Collection of Perennial Cornflowers (Centaurea montana): three varieties in assorted colours to add interest to flower beds, borders and rockeries in the heart of spring. The reputation of the Cornflower is well deserved: it grows well in all conditions, and is hardy almost everywhere. The three varieties in our selection are no exception to the rule. These perennials will easily find a perfect spot in your garden. You can also use them as cut flowers to make bouquets!

The collection includes:

1 Centaurea montana 'Coerulea': deep blue flowers with purplish-blue hearts

1 Centaurea montana 'Alba': with pure white flowers

1 Centaurea montana 'Purple Heart': two-coloured, white with a purple heart

Native to mountain areas, these cornflowers are ideal perennials to create cottage garden scenes, mixed with scabious and blue or white Peach-leaved Bellflowers, for example. They flower between late April and early June, for a period of 2 to 3 months, attracting bees and many butterflies. Making excellent cut flowers, they also take a special place in a kitchen garden. Use 5 plants per m², plant in early spring or early autumn in well-loosened soil, free of “weeds”.

A rhizomatous perennial plant, the Perennial cornflower can theoretically spread without limits, which makes it valuable to add volume to borders, flower beds and rock gardens. Its floral stems rise 50 cm from the ground on average, with flower heads measuring 4-5 cm in diameter. Its pretty green, velvety leaves disappear in winter.

Labelled separately

Flowering

Flower colour multicoloured
Flowering time April to June
Inflorescence Flower head
Flower size 5 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Centaurea

Species

montana

Cultivar

sp., Alba, Purple Heart

Family

Asteraceae

Other common names

Perennial Cornflower, Mountain Cornflower, Great Blue-bottle, Mountain Bluet, Mountain Centaury

Origin

Central Europe

Planting and care

Plant Centaurea montana in ordinary, even poor or lime-rich, but well-drained soil, in the sun or in partial shade. It tolerates clayey and slightly humid soils, especially if they are a little stony. In case of summer drought, the plant will simply disappear until rain returns. Water copiously when planting and maintain regular watering for the first 8 weeks. After flowering, prune the flower stalks to the ground, this can encourage new flowers to appear at the end of summer.

Perennial Cornflower is susceptible to powdery mildew in summer. As soon as the foliage is affected (it becomes covered in "white" powder), after the first flowering, cut back the plant close to the ground. Water regularly, and new foliage and a second flowering will soon develop.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery, Shaded rockery, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, ordinary, well prepared

Care

Pruning instructions After flowering, cut back flower stalks to the ground.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Disease resistance Average
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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