Fine Herbs

Centaury

Colorful and natural-blooming cornflower, appreciated for its melliferous flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Excellent for borders, wildflower meadows, or rustic bouquets.
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Exposure
Full sun
Hardiness
Zone 3

Discover the plant

Common nameCentaury
FamilyAsteraceae
TypePerennial or flowering annual
Botanical nameKnapweed

Depending on the variety, cornflower is a perennial or annual plant, valued for its light, colorful, and very natural blooms. Its finely cut petals, often blue, mauve, pink, white, or purple, bring a rustic charm to flowerbeds, borders, pollinator gardens, and naturalized landscapes. Its delicate appearance pairs very well with grasses, yarrow, echinacea, daisies, and other prairie-style perennials.

Easy to grow, cornflower generally prefers a sunny location and well-drained, light to moderately fertile soil. Once established, it requires little maintenance and tolerates drier conditions quite well, making it an excellent plant for low-maintenance gardens, rockeries, embankments, and sunny borders. Removing faded flowers helps prolong blooming and keeps the plant tidier throughout the season.

Highly valued by bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, cornflower helps create a vibrant, colorful, and biodiverse garden. Some varieties are also excellent as cut flowers thanks to their delicate and decorative floral stems. It is an ideal plant for adding color, movement, and an elegant wild touch to outdoor spaces, while promoting the presence of beneficial insects in the garden.

Centaury

Planting guide

From planting to establishment.

Propagation Sowing or division

Soil and care

The right care,at the right time.

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Minimum temperature

-30°C

Care level

Easy

Watering

Moderate; allow the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings

Soil type

Light to medium, well-drained, even poor soil

Fertilization

Light compost in spring; avoid excessive fertilizer

Moisture

Low to moderate humidity; tolerates slightly dry soil

Seasonal care

Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming; cut back dry foliage in the fall or spring.

Container growing

A garden,within reach.

Potted cultivation possible in a well-drained container
Centaury

Bloom and dimensions

Its place,in your garden.

Mature height

45 to 90 cm (18 to 36 inches)

Width / spread

30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches)

Flower color

Blue, pink, mauve or white depending on the cultivar

Foliage color

Green to silvery-grey depending on the species

Foliage type

Obsolete

Growth rate

Average growth

Bloom period

Spring to summer

Fruiting

Decorative seed heads at the end of the season

Harvest

June to August
Centaury

Garden associations

In goodcompany.

Companion plants

Yarrows, coneflowers, ornamental grasses, lavender

Plants to avoid

Avoid with very covering or invasive plants

Wildlife and pets

Life,around your plants.

Supporting wildlife

Bees, butterflies, pollinating insects