Centaurea, Mountain Bluet, Mountain Cornflower, Perennial Cornflower 'Alba'

Centaureamontana

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Centaurea (sen-TAR-ee-uh)
Species
montana (MON-tah-nuh)
Synonym
Centaurea montana f. alba
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Succulent
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Brighton, Colorado

Carbondale, Colorado

Stamford, Connecticut

Des Plaines, Illinois

Pinconning, Michigan

Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
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C
Stamford, CT (Zone 6b) | March 2010 | positive

I planted this as a new plant early last summer (Amethyst in snow). It has already started growing (and increasing) despite our colder t...Read More

B
B
Baa
| January 2003 | neutral

Centaurea montana forma alba is alike to Centaurea montana except that it has pure white flowers.

Enjoys a moist, well-dr...Read More

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