Perennial Cornflower
Centaurea montana
Also listed as Cyanus montanus, Setachna montana
Also known as Mountain Bluet, Mountain Cornflower, Mountain Knapweed
Climate Match for your location
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A hardy perennial with large, shaggy blue-purple flowers that bloom over a long season. It thrives in sunny spots and is drought-tolerant once established, making it excellent for rock gardens and borders.
Why grow it
Centaurea montana offers reliable, extended bloom compared to annual cornflower species, with the advantage of returning yearly without reseeding. Its drought tolerance once established makes it a low-maintenance choice for well-drained sites in full sun, particularly where supplemental watering is limited. The large flowers distinguish it from smaller native Centaurea species and many other perennial border plants, though it is less cold-hardy than some alpine alternatives.
Watch out for
The plant can self-seed prolifically in ideal conditions, so deadheading spent flowers helps prevent unwanted spread in smaller gardens. In areas with high humidity or poor drainage, fungal leaf spots may develop, requiring improved air circulation or site selection.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
European mountains (Alps and Pyrenees)
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A hardy perennial with large, shaggy blue-purple flowers that bloom over a long season. It thrives in sunny spots and is drought-tolerant once established, making it excellent for rock gardens and borders.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Perennial Cornflower grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Centaurea montana offers reliable, extended bloom compared to annual cornflower species, with the advantage of returning yearly without reseeding. Its drought tolerance once established makes it a low-maintenance choice for well-drained sites in full sun, particularly where supplemental watering is limited. The large flowers distinguish it from smaller native Centaurea species and many other perennial border plants, though it is less cold-hardy than some alpine alternatives.
Watch out for
The plant can self-seed prolifically in ideal conditions, so deadheading spent flowers helps prevent unwanted spread in smaller gardens. In areas with high humidity or poor drainage, fungal leaf spots may develop, requiring improved air circulation or site selection.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
European mountains (Alps and Pyrenees)
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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