Species Branching Centaury
pink flowers with yellow center, green buds, green leaves and stems

Branching Centaury

Centaurium pulchellum

Branching Centaury (Centaurium pulchellum) is an annual flowering plant rarely growing over 1 foot tall. It blooms wild in prairies and meadows with small, star-shaped flowers of yellow and pink colors atop thin, fragile stems. It has a deep root system that helps it find nourishment to survive in dry areas. The plant grows in full sun and is easily propagated. It is a host for many beneficial insects, making it an essential species in wildflower gardens for pollination. Branching Centaury is a great addition to any garden, offering delicate beauty with its light, airy scent.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Branching Centaury (Centaurium pulchellum) should be watered regularly during its growing season. To achieve best results, water once per week, making sure that the soil is moist but not soggy. Watering should be reduced significantly in winter months, since this species prefers slightly dry winters.

sunlight

Branching Centaury requires full sunlight for most of the day. While it can tolerate partial shade, its growth will be stunted if not exposed to several hours of direct sunlight each day. Depending on location, the ideal amount of sunlight for Branching Centaury is between 6-8 hours a day.

pruning

Branching Centaury should be pruned in the fall and early spring, just before the new growth begins. For a mature plant, the cutting should be done once every couple of seasons, and for new plants, about once every season. To prune, cut back about a quarter of the topmost branches to the ground, or to within 3-4 inches of the ground. This will stimulate new growth for a fuller, healthier plant. Always use sterilized tools and prune when the plant is dry.