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Centaurea, Mountain Bluet, Mountain Cornflower, Perennial Cornflower 'Black Sprite'

Centaureamontana

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Centaurea montana by DaylilySLP
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Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Info
Genus
Centaurea (sen-TAR-ee-uh)
Info
Species
montana (MON-tah-nuh)
Info
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Succulent
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Dark Purple/Black
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Bronze
Where to Grow

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for drying and preserving
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size

Unknown - Tell us

Other details

Unknown - Tell us

Soil pH requirements
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information

Unknown - Tell us

Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Tampa, Florida

Beverly, Massachusetts

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

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2 members have or want this plant for trade

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Gardener's Notes:

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R
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RenoHatesMe
Beverly, MA | June 2015 | positive

Black Sprite is a very striking plant that is not as aggressive in the garden as some Centaurea montana varieties. Mine is three years ol...Read More

N
N
NJReed
Southfield, MI | July 2013 | neutral

This is the 2nd year, the first couple of blooms appeared and faded or were snipped by deer. A few new blooms might be coming up now in m...Read More

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