General description
Centranthus may be annuals or perennials, with usually simple, opposite leaves and terminal clusters of small, trumpet-shaped flowers
The blue-green foliage and deep coloured flowers of centranthus combine to perfection. Plants look best grown en masse on banks or when allowed to self seed in walls and paving, where they create a delightful random, natural effect. A background of stone gives them an ideal setting, or they can be teamed with other cottage garden flowers - especially lime-loving gypsophila, pinks and scabious - in a border. The plants are very attractive to bees, several different kinds of butterfly, and other pollinating insects.
Size
Ultimate height
0.5-1 metres
Ultimate spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2-5 years
Plant requirements
Grow in a well-drained soil that is poor to moderately fertile, ideally a chalky or stony soil. Good drought resistance; thrives on walls and in coastal gardens. Needs full sun to flower well.
Maintenance
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in spring March to May
Division
Time to divide plants: March to April
Pruning
Cut down stems in autumn or if self-seeding is a problem then cut back hard in July after their first flowering
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
Practical use
Cottage/Informal Garden, Flower borders and beds, Low Maintenance, Wall-side Borders, Coastal, Wildlife Gardens or Drought Resistant