Centaurea - Bachelor Buttons
Centaurea - Bachelor Buttons: Mid-summer blooms, great cutting flowers, easy to grow, drought tolerant, deer resistant, attracts butterflies.
| Centaurea | Annual |
|---|---|
| Bloom Time | Early Summer - Mid Summer |
| Light | Full Sun |
| Water | Drought Tolerant - Any Soil |
| Diseases | Stem Rot, Rust, Mildew, Yellows |
| Pests | Leaf Hoppers, Aphids |
| Propagation | Seed, Division |
| Color | Blue, Purple, Pink, Yellow |
| Zones | 3 - 8 |
| Features | Cut Flowers, Attracts Butterflies, Easy to Grow, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant |
Centaurea 'Dealbata' This species is medium in stature and well suited to growing in the sunny border. Plants form a bushy clump of grey-green divided leaves, setting off a display of rosy-purple flowers in early summer.
There are hundreds of varieties of Centaurea, but there are only a few of them that are planted on a regular basis.
Most of the plants came from Europe and Asia, but a few have become naturalized (and weedy) in North America.
All species are very hardy and easy to grow. In fact, you may have to control their spread if used in the border. Just keep them from going to seed and be sure to divide them frequently.
Removing faded flower heads will encourage repeat blooming.
Ruggedly hardy, this plant will grow in most types of soils and climate regions.
May require staking if grown in rich conditions.
Plants may be pruned back hard in mid-summer to maintain a compact habit. Nice for cutting.
When sown in April/May, will bloom between June and September. The critical factor in blooming success of cornflowers is lighting: the plant needs about three weeks of long days in order to bloom.
When using seeds, sow directly into the ground during spring (April/May). In overall warmer and brighter climates (like California or Florida), seeds may be sown in September to yield blooms in late winter (February).
When dividing plants, do so in early spring.
Centaurea 'macrocephala': Large, thistle-like bright yellow flowers over deep green leaves. Bright yellow 3-4" across thistle-like flowers enclosed in glossy, light brown bracts on strong, stiff stems.
Blooms for 2-3 weeks in the mid-summer. Sometimes commonly called globe centaurea or yellow hardhat. Good cut and dried flower.
Poppy:
Orange Oriental poppies make a glorious combination with mountain bluet. The complementary colors paint a vivid picture.
Russian sage:
As mountain bluet blooms begin to fade, Russian sage will take over to carry the sunny, dry border through the rest of the year.
Butterfly weed:
Butterfly weed makes a stunning color contrast to mountain bluet. It also teams well with giant knapweed to create a hot color combination.
Centaurea 'Montana': Montana Perennial Bachelor Button Med. 2' Plant 16"apart. Zone 3-8. Large, showy, violet-blue flowers from July to Sept. with spidery deeply fringed flower petals.
Will rebloom in fall if cut back after first blooming period. Distinctive The starter plants you will receive are growing in 2 1/2" pots
Centaurea cyanus: The famous cornflower blue is the most popular of this beautiful annual wildflower, but it also blooms white, and in shades of pinks and wines.
-
Centaurea 'heirloom': Also called 'Boutonniere Flower' for its ability to hold up well in a button hole for a night on the town. Prolific bloomers and and a great cut flower, fresh or dried.
Drumstick Centaurea Mix: Add color and texture to borders and bouquets with this stunning mixture. Blooms appear midsummer to early fall in red, yellow, white and pink-purple.
Fluffy flower heads are made up of many tiny flowers, which butterflies love. Plants grow 2-4' tall and spread 2-3'. #1 field-grown plants. Centaurea
Perennial bachelor's button (Centaurea pulcherrima) forms a low mound of deeply toothed gray-green leaves, which in early summer send up shaggy pink cornflower blooms. It tolerates hot, dry conditions, and is hardy in Zones 4-9.
Singleflower knapweed (Centaurea uniflora), as its common name suggests, bears solitary purplish-pink flowers on a mound of prickly green leaves 15 to 20 inches tall. It is hardy in Zones 4-8.
White mountain bluet (Centaurea montana 'Alba') is similar to the species, but with white flowers instead of blue ones.
Flower Centaurea Bachelor's Button Choice Mixs: Classic cornflowers. Blue, pink, red, and white. 1-1 1/2" blooms. Upright plants produce abundantly. Prefers cool temperatures.
Make 2-3 successive sowings for continuous summer blooms. Tolerates poor soil of medium fertility. Great edible flower for decorating desserts and salads. Ht. 24-30" Days to Maturity or Bloom: 85-95 .
Spacing: Plants look best naturalized without any set planting pattern. Scatter seeds and plant them where they lie for best results.
Fertilizer: Fertilization is not generally required for good plant growth.
Water/Soil Requirements: Add lime to acidic soils for best plant performance. Centaurea does best in well-draining soil.
Pruning: Not Necessary
For cut flower use, harvest when the buds are 1/4 to 1/2 already open. Place in cool water with an added cut flower preservative. Under good conditions, flowers should last about 10 days.
Although there are about 500 species, they all perform best with full sun.
All horticultural species are easy to grow. Centaurea attracts bees and butterflies.
Grow Centaurea in a border or rock garden. Many species of Centaurea produce flowers that are suitable for cutting.
