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.
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