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Annual Biennial
Centaurium erythraea
common centaury
Common centaury is a biennial, sometimes annual, hairless plant that forms basal rosettes and has oval, veined leaves. Flowers are borne in terminal clusters or onside shoots in June to September. They are pale pink, tubular and open to five lobes
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Gentianaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Eurasia
How to grow
Cultivation
Naturally occurs in dry or well-draining, grassy places such as chalk down land and sand dunes
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Wildflower meadow
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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