Centaurea bella / Beautiful knapweed – A hardy perennial with unusual flowers for colorful, natural flower beds.
This robust perennial charms with its delicately fringed lavender-blue flowers, abundant summer blooms, and elegant gray-green foliage. Ideal for flower beds, rock gardens, or natural gardens.
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Packaging
To find out more about our packaging, please visit our young plants' page available from the website header.
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Packaging
P40 A7
To find out more about our packaging, please visit our young plants' page available from the website header.
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Available quantity 160 | Dispo à partir de Immédiat | Sold by 40 |
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Plant description
Centaurea bella, commonly known as beautiful centaury, is a particularly decorative ground-covering perennial. It forms a dense cushion of finely cut silvery foliage, which remains attractive throughout the year. In summer, between June and August, it is adorned with an abundance of bright pink flowers with darker centers, which are very popular with pollinators. Compact, it reaches a height of about 20 to 30 cm and a width of 30 to 40 cm, making it perfect for small spaces. Hardy to -20°C, it is distinguished by its resistance to drought and ease of cultivation. Compared to other centaureas, Centaurea bella has a more compact habit and more decorative foliage, making it an excellent choice for rockeries and gravel gardens. It is also more floriferous and better suited to dry climates or pot cultivation.
Uses in the garden
The beautiful centaury is a plant with many uses in the garden. Thanks to its compact shape and decorative foliage, it is ideal for rockeries, low walls, or sunny borders. Its low, spreading habit also allows it to be used as ground cover in dry or inaccessible areas. It is also popular in pots on patios or balconies, where it adds a touch of color and lightness. Its bright pink summer flowers attract bees and butterflies, making it an interesting plant for an ecological and honey-producing garden. It can also be incorporated into Mediterranean flower beds or gravel gardens, in combination with lavender, thyme, or artemisia. Undemanding, it offers a decorative and sustainable alternative to more demanding or disease-sensitive plants.
Planting and care tips
Centaurea bella is best planted in spring or fall, in well-drained soil, even if it is poor, chalky, or stony. It likes sunny locations and does not tolerate excessive moisture, especially in winter. Space each plant 30 to 40 cm apart to allow it to spread. Watering is only necessary during periods of severe drought or when planting. Once established, it is drought-resistant. There is no need to fertilize if the soil is already balanced. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a dense habit and encourage repeat flowering. Remove dry leaves at the end of winter. Highly resistant to disease, centaury is low-maintenance, making it ideal for novice gardeners or gardens with limited irrigation. It does not require any chemical treatment.
Origin of the plant
Centaurea bella is native to the mountainous regions of southeastern Europe, mainly in the Balkans (Greece, Albania, Macedonia). It grows naturally on rocky slopes and dry meadows.
