Centaurea scabiosa Greater Knapweed. This is a clump forming perennial with sprawling
stems from basal leaves and lobed leaflets. Each stem has a prickly cone-like flower head that blooms into showy blue/purple, pink/red flowers above the foliage with multiple raggedy looking petals at the top of the head. It is related to the thistle but is in the sunflower family. It is considered a hermaphrodite (male and female) and is a self-pollinating self sower that will adapt to most soil types but must be well drained and in full sunshine. It will not grow in the shade, and has a very nice blooming period from June to September, along with a medicinal history. This species is very valuable to bees. It is also a magnet for many species of butterflies. Centaurea scabiosa has been used in traditional herbal healing as either a vulnerary or an emollient.
 
          25+  seed  per pack       
 
Planting Zone: 4 – 8
 
Full Sun
 
Height: 3 feet
 
Width: 2 feet
 
Frost and cold tolerant to 5 degrees F
 
Drought tolerant
 
Attracts Hummingbirds, Bees, Butterflies, Moths and finches
 
Noted for “attracting” wildlife
 
Medicinal: roots and seeds are a diaphoretic, diuretic, and a tonic. In medieval times it was
used in salves for skin problems and healing wounds.
 
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