1 / 4

Key characteristics

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

Perennials

Centaurea montana

Perennial Cornflower

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.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Medium; tolerates dry conditions once established

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

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.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)