Today’s blog features Bachelor Button, Centaurea montana ‘Amethyst Dream’ and ‘Amethyst in Snow’. These come to Rozanne and Friends® from Takii (Sahin breeding).
Two Beautiful Centaurea Varieties
These varieties offer two beautiful colors to this sturdy and resilient genus.
‘Amethyst Dream’ (USPP#20781, EU PBR Japan PBR) has matching outer and center petals of radiant royal purple color. Plants are strong and sturdy and more upright than ‘Amethyst in Snow’. Flowers in mid-May to mid-June, atop soft-green foliage.
‘Amethyst in Snow’ (USPP#18284) has white outer petals and striking royal purple center flowers for a lovely bicolor effect. Plants are strong and sturdy. Flowers from mid-May to mid-June, atop dense, substantial masses of silvery-green foliage.
Both varieties partner well in the garden with Yarrow, Black-eyed Susan, Russian Sage, Gaura and Ornamental Grasses. For more inspiration on growing the ‘Amethyst in Snow’, download the new Garden Design featuring this variety.
Rooted in Greek and British Folklore
The genus Centaurea has some Greek mythology in its namesake. It was used to heal Chiron the Centaur, thus the root of its genus name. Bachelor Button appears to derive from English folklore. A bachelor would place a flower head in his lapel or jacket pocket while courting. If it was still fresh the next day, the relationship was meant to last.
For growers
- Transplant liners into standard 1-gallon (4 litre) or 6-inch (15cm) pot with one cell per pot..
- Vernalization is beneficial for faster flowering and slightly fuller plants. Overwinter outdoors or inside cold greenhouses. Afterwards, allow plants to emerge and flower with naturally occurring spring temperatures. Dormancy breaks in early spring.
- Alternatively, plant vernalized liners in March and April.
- Media pH: 5.5 to 6.5; media EC: 1.5 to 3.0 mmhos/cm (saturated paste).
- Watch for thrips damage to foliage. Botrytis can develop under the dense leaf canopy. Therefore, clean foliage debris to reduce botrytis development.
- Like most plants with gray-green foliage, do not over water.
- See our Technical Guide for more information.
In the garden
- For front and middle garden borders. Also, lovely in containers.
- Resistant to deer, butterflies like it, cut flower
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9. Prefers cooler regions.
- Grow in full sun.
- Spread 28 inches (71 cm).
- Expected height is 14 inches (36 cm) for ‘Amethyst Snow’; 20 inches (51 cm) for ‘Amethyst Dream’.
- Prefers well-drained garden soils.
- Tolerates heat and drought.
- Can shear plants after flowering for later reblooming.