Cupid's dart
Common Name: Cupid's dart
Genus: Catananche
Species: caerulea
Skill Level: Beginner
Exposure: Full sun
Hardiness: Hardy
Soil type: Well-drained/light, Moist
Height: 75cm
Spread: 30cm
Time to plant seeds: April to May
Flowering period:
June
to
September
The bright blue, cornflower-like blooms of catananche appear continuously from early to late summer and are at their peak in midsummer. Plants are rather narrow and upright with little foliage, and single specimens do not make much of a show so plant 3 or 5 in a group to make a better display. Each papery petal has a fine silvery stripe through the centre. Grow with grey or silver-leafed plants such as artemisia and Stachys byzantina which enjoy similar growing conditions and so make natural partners.
Search by name of plant
Plant finder advanced search
Select from the dropdown menus below to narrow your search.
Around the BBC
bbc.co.uk navigation
BBC links
BBC © 2012 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.