Plant details
This is a very variable but always attractive plant found in meadows and woods on the mountains of Europe. The typical form grown in gardens has greyish, lance-shaped leaves and large, deep blue or blue-violet flowers, up to 3 in (7.5cm) across in early summer. It does best in a moisture retentive soil and is equally at home in sun or partial shade.
Family: Compositae
Genus: Centaurea
Species: montana
Plant type: Hardy perennial
Flower colour: Blue
Foliage colour: Mid-green
Feature: Flowers, Attractive to wildlife
Sun exposure: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil: Well-drained/light, Clay/heavy, Chalky/alkaline
Hardiness: Hardy
Skill level: Beginner
Height: 45cm
Spread: 60cm
Time to divide plants: March to April
Reader reviews
gwilty
Beautiful flowers and I have had long, repeat showings since it was planted three years ago, in what I consider to be a tough place in the garden, due to competition from other plants and lack of light. There is a lot of leaf for what might be considered rather delicate flowers though.
That said, I find it pretty much indestructible, and I'm ruthless with non-flowering stems.
I've used the flowers indoors this year and they seem quite happy in a vase
RosaSeagull
I have had large clumps of this Mountain Cornflower for years, and this year for the first time ever, they's succumbed to some sort of sticky blight and look dreadful. Anyone know what might have caused this, or how to treat it organically?
RosaSeagull
Sorry! Must correct the aberrant grammar in my previous post: 'they's succumbed ...' should of course read '... they've succumbed...'
toftsie
We have this lovely plant in our garden and I deadhead regularly taking quite a lot of stem at the same time - but I shall certainly be cutting out non-flowering shoots from now on as has been commented on the thread, it does have quite a lot of leaf - but very attractive and the bees just love it.
gavinjonez
Wow, I love this flower. I had never seen it until last night! Just reading the other comment re: a vase... That would look unreal on the kitchen table! Thanks heaps... Gav
jomather
hi, this plant has been in my garden since i bought the house several years ago and i've only found out what it is, could some one please tell me the best way to divide them as i would like more of these lovely plants .......
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