Centaurea montana 'Black Sprite'
perennial cornflower 'Black Sprite'
A clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial to around 45cm high in flower, with a spreading habit and simple, downy green leaves. Flowers from late spring through the summer, with slender stems bearing buds encased in overlapping bracts, which open to large, showy dark reddish-purple flowers, with a ring of fine outer florets surrounding a crowd of tiny, near-black flowers in the centre
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Red | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Red | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Genus
Centaurea may be annuals, perennials or subshrubs, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and showy thistle-like flowers-heads, often with enlarged outer florets
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. May benefit from support to prevent flopping, see staking: perennials
Propagation
Propagate by division, separating rhizomes in autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
Pruning
Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh foliage, may produce a second flush in late summer
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and rust diseases
Get involved
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