Centaurea dealbata 'Bright Rose' (Persian Cornflower) – Hardy Perennial (Set of 3 or 6)

Centaurea dealbata 'Bright Rose' is the Persian cornflower, with fringed rose pink flowers through summer.

The thistle like flowers have finely fringed petals and paler centres, carried from June to August above grey green leaves with silvery undersides. Clumps reach around 60 to 70cm tall and 45 to 60cm across, which suits the middle of a cottage border.

It thrives on poor thin soil in full sun or a little shade, so long as the ground is not waterlogged, and asks for almost nothing once it is settled. The flowers are nectar rich for bees and butterflies and cut well for the house. Deadhead through summer to keep it flowering, cut the foliage back in autumn and divide the clump every few years.

Supplied as three or six plants, each as an established 1 litre root ball, ready for a border, a raised bed or a container.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Persian cornflower
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 60 to 70cm x 45 to 60cm
• Growth Habit: Upright and clump forming
• Perfect For: Cottage and country borders, gravel gardens, wildlife planting, cutting
• Foliage: Grey green, deeply lobed leaves with silvery undersides
• Flowering Time: June to August
• Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade, including dry soils once established
• Soil Type: Poor to average and free draining, never waterlogged
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• Maintenance: Low. Deadhead through summer, cut back in autumn and divide every few years
• Seasonal Interest: Summer
• Type: Hardy herbaceous perennial