Centaurea dealbata

The perennial cornflowers are cousins to the common Bachelor’s Button, with showy heads of shaggy flowers. This species is medium in stature and well suited to growing in the sunny border. Plants form a bushy clump of grey-green divided leaves, setting off a display of rosy-purple flowers in early summer. Removing faded flower heads will encourage repeat blooming. Ruggedly hardy, this plant will grow in most types of soils and climate regions. May require staking if grown in rich conditions. Plants may be pruned back hard in mid-summer to maintain a compact habit. Nice for cutting.