Photo of Psephellus simplicicaulis flower, form by Panayoti Kelaidis

Photo by Panayoti Kelaidis

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Psephellus simplicicaulis

Also Known As

  • Centaurea simplicicaulis
  • Cornflower
  • Knapweed

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 1'-2'
  • W: 1'-2'

planting zones

  • 4a-9b

More Options

Psephellus simplicicaulis plant details

Psephellus simplicicaulis is a broadleaf evergreen perennial with blue and white foliage. In spring and summer lavender flowers emerge. Features fuzzy texture. Grows well with sun and regular - occasional water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Psephellus simplicicaulis

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: asteraceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and white
Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 1 FT - 2 FT - tall
Flowers: lavender blooms in spring and summer
Uses: border plant, easy-to-grow, rock garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Psephellus simplicicaulis

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - occasional
Resistant to: seaside / salt
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Low, finely-cut and graceful foliage accompanies silvery, rose-pink, bachelor button flowers as beautiful in bud as in bloom. A mat-forming perennial 12" tall x 3' wide. Easy, long-lived, and tough
Mounds of ever-silver foliage form clumps to 2' wide and about a foot tall with perennial, fluffy pink flowers from mid spring to mid summer. Takes both blasty sun and summer drought. Frost hardy to -15 °F, mid USDA zone 5. Easy and pretty.
Little gray-foliaged low small cushiony clumper. Pinky lavender flowers on stems of a few inches in length. Easy and quite hardy.

Gardening facts about Psephellus simplicicaulis plant

How to Grow Psephellus simplicicaulis

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • regular - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • seaside / salt tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • white
    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • lavender
  • Flower Season

    • spring
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • fuzzy

See other plant types of Psephellus for your garden

aka Centaurea bella, Cornflower

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

4a-8b

Size

Height: 8"-12"

Width: 18"

  • sun
  • even moisture - regular
  • dry in summer
Photo of Psephellus bellus flower by Arrowhead Alpines
View Plant

More Options

aka Centaurea dealbata, Centaurea hypoleuca, Persian Cornflower

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

3a-9b

Size

Height: 36"

Width: 24"

  • sun
  • regular - low
Photo of Psephellus dealbatus flower by Anneli Salo
View Plant

More Options

aka Centaurea dealbata 'Steenbergii', Steenbergii Cornflower

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

5a-9b

Size

Height: 1'-3'

Width: 3"-15"

  • sun
  • regular - drought tolerant
Photo of Psephellus dealbatus 'Steenbergii' flower by H. Zell
View Plant
+3 more Psephellus
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