Centaurea dealbata

Description

Centaurea dealbata – Persian cornflower

Botanical name: Centaurea dealbata
Common names: Persian cornflower, knapweed
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, bushy
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 45–60cm tall × 60cm spread
Foliage: Deeply divided, green leaves, grey-white beneath; deciduous
Flowers: Fringed, thistle-like pink flowers with paler centres in early to midsummer, often reblooming (June–August)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained; poor to average; drought-tolerant; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 3–8
Exposure: Open, sunny; tolerant
Native range: Species native to the Caucasus and the Middle East
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Centaurea dealbata, Persian cornflower, is an easy cottage-garden perennial with fringed, thistle-like pink flowers over a long summer season. Drought-tolerant and a magnet for bees and butterflies.

GardenAdvice notes

A cheerful, easy cottage-garden perennial, Persian cornflower (a hardy knapweed) produces a long succession of fringed, thistle-like pink flowers with paler centres over divided, grey-backed foliage. Tough and drought-tolerant, thriving on poor, dry soils, it is a wonderfully reliable and long-flowering plant, and its flowers are a great favourite with bees and butterflies.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in well-drained soil in full sun — it thrives on poor, dry soils and is very tolerant. Ideal for cottage, gravel and wildlife borders. Space about 45–60cm apart. Water while establishing. It can spread and flop in rich soil, so grow it lean for sturdier growth.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Deadhead and cut the plant back after the first flush to tidy it and encourage a second flush of flowers. It can spread by runners and self-seed, so lift and reduce it if needed. Cut down old growth in late winter. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.
• Seed: Can be raised from seed and self-seeds gently.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. It can flop or spread in rich soil, and powdery mildew occasionally occurs. Grown lean in a sunny spot, it is easy and reliable.

Uses in the garden

Superb in cottage, gravel, wildlife and sunny borders, where its fringed pink flowers bring a long, informal display and attract pollinators; good for cutting.

Wildlife value

Persian cornflower is an excellent plant for pollinators: its nectar-rich, fringed flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies over a long season.

Toxicity & safety

Persian cornflower is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

Persian cornflower is a tough, easy, long-flowering cottage plant that bees and butterflies adore — and it thrives on poor, dry soil, so don’t pamper it. Grow it lean for the sturdiest growth, and cut the whole plant back after the first flush to tidy it and bring on a fresh wave of those pretty fringed pink flowers.

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