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    • Photo of Centaurea americana flower by Pschemp

    Photo by Pschemp

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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    Centaurea americana

    Also Known As

    • American Basketflower
    • American Starthistle
    • Basket Flower
    • Powderpuff Thistle

    Plant type

    annual / biennial

    size

    • H: 2'-4'
    • W: 2'-3'

    planting zones

    • 1-12

    Centaurea americana plant details

    Centaurea americana is a broadleaf deciduous annual / biennial with green foliage. In summer purple flowers emerge. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Centaurea americana

    Plant type: annual / biennial
    Plant family: asteraceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
    Flowers: purple blooms in summer
    Uses: border plant, cottage garden, cutting garden, native plant, showy

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Centaurea americana

    USDA Zones: 1 - 12
    Sun exposure: sun
    Resistant to: heat
    Soil needs: average and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Discovered by Nutall on the alluvial soil at the Arkansas and Red rivers, two or three feet high, with large purplish-pink flowers in August, The Flower Garden, 1851. The bud is encased in luminous, pale golden bracts, which resemble woven baskets. The 5 wide feathery flower heads are spectacular and make excellent dried flowers and are irresistible to bees, both native and honeybees.

    By: Select Seeds

    Gardening facts about Centaurea americana plant

    How to Grow Centaurea americana

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • purple

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • butterflies
      • hummingbirds

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    See other plant types of Centaurea for your garden

    Centaurea orientalis

    aka Cornflower

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    6a-10b

    Size

    Height: 24"

    Width: 12"

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Centaurea orientalis flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery
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    Centaurea cyanus 'Black Gem'

    aka Cyanus segetum 'Black Gem', Black Gem Bachelor's Buttons

    Plant Type

    Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    1-11

    Size

    Height: 12"-24"

    Width: 6"-12"

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Centaurea cyanus 'Black Gem' flower, form by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
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    Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Diadem'

    aka Cyanus segetum 'Blue Diadem', Blue Diadem Bachelor's Buttons

    Plant Type

    Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    1-11

    Size

    Height: 24"-36"

    Width: 12"-30"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Diadem' flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
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    Centaurea scabiosa

    aka Centaurea scabiosa 'Perennial Butterfly', Greater Knapweed, Perennial Bachelor Button, Perennial Butterfly Cornflower

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    3a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2'

    Width: 3'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - occasional
    Photo of Centaurea scabiosa flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
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    Centaurea cineraria

    aka Centaurea candidissima, Centaurea gymnocarpa, Dusty Miller, Velvet Centaurea, Velvet Centaurea

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Perennial

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 3'-4'

    Width: 8'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Centaurea cineraria flower, foliage by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
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    More Options

    +38 more Centaurea
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