Centaurea montana 'GRANDIFLORA' mountain bluet
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
0,4-0,6m
usual width
0,4-0,5m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
June-July
location
full to partial sun
soil type
any (acidic to alkaline)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist but well-drained
USDA zone (lowest)
3 (down to -40°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Centaurea
Bluet is a native perennial of Czech countryside, growing around lower mountains of Šumava and Nové Hrady. I can understand that farmers are unhappy when its close relative cornflower (centaurea cyanus) weeds in their fields but looking at a blue mass of just blooming bluets is fantastic and brings us back to our childhood when we used to appreciate simple beauty of nature and its colours.Description of the plant:
Grandiflora variety of mountain bluet has all features of the species, but larger flowers. They are about 4-5 cm wide, gentian to sky blue (depending on the soil type), and the sight of the entire blooming clump, as well as the detail of a single flower, is breathtaking for flower lovers. The flowers look like no other and are difficult to describe, you simply must have a look.The leaves are softly hairy, pale to medium green, broadly lanceolate, and so pleasant to the touch. Compared to the bluet from the meadows, this one makes slightly shorter and stronger stems that do not bend or break. The clump is so dense that you can also use it as a ground cover between other other perennials with tall stems.
In the wild the species is considered endangered. Grow it in a sunny border or in part shade. As it makes a compact, bushy clump, it can be used as a groundcover among perennial with tall stems. Bluet needs free-draining soil that is medium fertile and preferably evenly moist rather than completely dry on hot summer days. It can be cut back after flowering to encourage regrowth of new foliage that will keep the plant attractive by the end of the season. Plants can be divided every 2-3 years in early spring or late autumn. Hardy to about -40 °C (USDA zone 3).
Last update 28-09-2023
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