Centaurea macrocephala - 9cm pot
(Armenian basket flower). This is a stately perennial that really stands out in the garden in both form and colour! Clumps of elongated mid-green leaves, slightly rough to touch. Upright, branched stems carry large globe-shaped buds which resemble woven baskets, and which slowly develop, eventually erupting to produce large, shaggy, glowing yellow flowers, thistle-like in appearance. Established plants are long-flowering from mid-summer to autumn, useful cut or dried flower, and highly attractive to bees and butterflies. Leave the seedheads on for extra effect into the winter, and to provide food for the birds. Prefers full sun and free-draining soils, and is fully hardy but resents disturbance once established, so don’t try and move or divide it. Flowering height 70cm-120cm, spread 40-70cm depending on age and position. 9cm pot.