Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Centaurea montana
Perennial Cornflower
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Height
- 1 to 2 feet tall
- Width
- 1 to 1.5 feet wide
- Flower color
- Blue, purple, or pink
- Foliage color
- Gray-green
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Medium; tolerates dry conditions once established
- Maintenance
- Low
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and butterflies; deer resistant
About this plant
Centaurea montana, commonly known as Perennial Cornflower, is an herbaceous perennial native to Europe, prized for its vibrant, violet-blue flowers and low-maintenance nature. Blooming in abundance from late spring to early summer, its large, showy flower heads consist of numerous tiny florets surrounded by papery bracts, creating a unique appearance. The plant forms clumps of finely lobed, gray-green leaves that are slightly hairy and deeply cut, adding texture to the garden. Centaurea montana thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Ideal for borders, rock gardens, and cottage gardens, it adds color and texture with its striking flowers and ornamental foliage.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Waterwise Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Ferns · Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums · Columbines
Design tip
The long summer show pairs well with plants that peak earlier, keeping one area interesting for months. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
