Centaurea cineraria

Also Known As

Centaurea candidissima
Centaurea gymnocarpa
Dusty Miller
Velvet Centaurea
Velvet Centaurea

Plant type

shrub, perennial

size

H: 3'-4'
W: 8'

planting zones

7a-10b

More Options

Centaurea cineraria plant details

Centaurea cineraria is a broadleaf evergreen perennial shrub with blue foliage. In summer purple and silver flowers emerge. Features fuzzy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Centaurea cineraria

Plant type: perennial shrub
Plant family: asteraceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 8 FT wide, 3 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: purple and silver blooms in summer
Uses: xeric, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Centaurea cineraria

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - low

Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A wonderful evergreen species, heading toward being a shrub rather than a perennial. The finely dissected, silvery white leaves form a mound to about 3 ft or more and make a wonderful background for the lavender to rose-purple flowers that appear in the spring and sporadically through the rest of the year. Prefers sun and low fertility soil for best performance. Evergreen and hardy to the middle of USDA zone 7.

By: Cistus Nursery

An erect, shrubby, evergreen perennial. The large, almost fern-like leaves, are covered in a dense felt of fine hairs so as to appear intense silver-white. In Summer sprays of lavender thistle-like flowers are produced. One of the best of all the silver plants. Prune after flowering to stop it becoming leggy.

By: Zephs

You may recognize this plant if you frequent our retail nursery – it’s inhabited a very dry spot in our parking lot & has been neglected there for many years, but it never seems to look too worse for wear! Ever-grey & very drought tolerant, it grows 3-4’ tall and as much as 8’ across (though it’s easy to prune smaller) & it blooms for the better part of Spring – great big fluffy 2” purple flowers on long, white stems over elegantly divided leaves. Great for cutting & wildlife too! CLAY AND SHADE TOLERANT! Great choice for hillsides, neglected side yards, as well as any dryish garden. Hardy to 15-20 °F.