Centaurea dealbata 'Rosea'

Common Name: Persian Cornflower, Perennial Cornflower

Deeply fringed, rose-pink flowers appear from late spring to early summer above mounds of coarsely cut foliage. These leaves grow up to 2 feet long and are divided into pinnate lobes. Butterflies can't resist the sweet nectar of the showy blooms.

C. 'Rosea' is a valuable, reliable landscape plant and is attractive even when it's not in bloom. It looks best when planted in groups of three or more. Use it in perennial borders, in cutting gardens, or for naturalizing in a meadow. The cut flowers are long-lasting.

Height:

24.0 Inches

Spread:

18.0-24.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

3,4,5,6,7,8

Flower Color:

Pink shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Poor Soil Quality Average Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0) Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Summer Midsummer Mid Fall

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Butterflies

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Cottage Eclectic

Other Features:

Border Plant Cut Flower Mass Planting

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Centaurea is easy to grow and maintain. It needs full sun and thrives in well-drained, limey soils. Avoid soil that is soggy in winter, which will almost certainly kill it. If planted in too much shade Centaurea will become leggy and floppy. Growing it in full sun and cutting it back hard after flowering should reduce the need for staking. In northern regions, the stems will be sturdier and less likely to fall over. They tend to require staking in southern zones.

To prevent overcrowding, division should be performed every 2-4 years in the spring.

Characteristics