Plant Lust
ShopOrderSellblog
0

  • Plant types

  • Plant styles

  • Planting conditions

  • Seasonal interest

  • Nurseries & Gardens

    • Photo of Centaurea montana form by Stefan.lefnaer

    Photo by Stefan.lefnaer

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

    Show all photos

    Centaurea montana

    Also Known As

    • Cyanus montanus
    • Mountain Bluet
    • Mountain Cornflower
    • Perennial Bachelor Buttons
    • Perennial Cornflower

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 18"
    • W: 18"

    planting zones

    • 3a-8b

    More Options

    Centaurea montana plant details

    Centaurea montana is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial with blue foliage. In fall, spring and summer blue flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Does well in average, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Centaurea montana

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: asteraceae
    Foliage: semi-evergreen blue
    Mature size: 18 IN wide, 18 IN tall
    Flowers: blue blooms in fall, spring and summer
    Uses: border plant, cottage garden, long-blooming

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Centaurea montana

    USDA Zones: 3a - 8b
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: heat
    Soil needs: average, gritty and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Centaurea montana, the perennial bachelor's button, is a cottage garden classic with feathery, royal blue flowers with dark pink centres. Plants will re-bloom almost endlessly if cut back after the first flowering.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    From Europe (montana doesn't meant Montana but Mountain!) but the bloom looks more like it came from another planet! Quite Star Trek-y if you look closely and you should!. Strange but beautiful enough that members have put 32 photos on Dave's Garden! Stoloniferous and does spread if happy. Needs to be divided every 2-3 years so it's a pass-along plant. Solitary, fringed, rich blue cornflowers to 2" in diameter with reddish blue centers and black-edged involucre bract in late spring on 1-2' un-branched stems. Lance-shaped lower leaves to 7" are grey green. Drought tolerant when established.

    By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

    Gardening facts about Centaurea montana plant

    How to Grow Centaurea montana

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular - low

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • blue

    • Wildlife

      • bees

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • summer
      • fall

    • Foliage Season

      • semi-evergreen

    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
    View Plant

    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
    View Plant

    More Options

    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
    View Plant

    More Options

    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
    View Plant

    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
    View Plant

    More Options

    +38 more Centaurea
    Mailing List
    Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

    © 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved