Species knapweed
Purple flower with white anthers growing on green stem and green leaves.

knapweed

Centaurea dealbata

Knapweed (Centaurea dealbata) is an amazing plant due to its low-maintenance needs and ability to add vibrant color to outdoor spaces. This species of knapweed has bright blue daisy-like flowers that bloom from May to September and boast grey-green foliage. Knapweed is best planted in sunny, dry locations and can thrive in poor soils. They are drought- and disease-resistant and make an excellent addition to rock gardens, and are ideal for attracting beneficial pollinators. Beyond its need for little care and stunning flowers, knapweed is also known to be deer-resistant, ensuring all of its lovely blooms remain intact.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Rosy pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Well-drained

Fruits:

purple,pink,white Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

silver,green

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Knapweed (Centaurea dealbata) needs to be watered deeply but infrequently. During the growing season (spring and summer), water the plant once every 10-14 days, making sure to saturate the soil and allow it to dry out completely between waterings. In the fall, reduce watering frequency to once every 2-4 weeks. In the winter, water the plant only if the topsoil feels dry to the touch; otherwise, the plant doesn't require additional water.

sunlight

Knapweed (Centaurea dealbata) requires full sun exposure to thrive, around 8-10 hours of direct sunlight each day. It should be planted in a location that receives sunlight in the morning or late afternoon, but is shaded from direct, overhead sunlight during the hottest part of the day. When grown in partial shade, knapweed will not flower or produce seed.

pruning

Knapweed (Centaurea dealbata) should be pruned as soon as it is established in the planting area. Pruning should be done in late spring or early summer. Gardeners should remove any dead, weak or diseased branches, which allows for new growth to fill in the gaps. If the knapweed has grown over its desired height, it should be pruned back to the desired size. This will help to keep the shape of the plant and helps to keep it from taking over other plants in the garden. Overall, knapweed should be pruned regularly to keep its size and shape under control.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Knapweed typically starts flowering in June.

Harvest Fruit

Centaurea dealbata is typically harvested in the months of July and August.

Hardiness Map