(Centaurea cineraria 'Colchester White') sen-TOR-ee-ah sin-er-AIR-ee-ah Genus:  Centaurea

Best used as a foliage plant, this plant's intricately cut, frosty-silver leaves produce a large, elegant arching mound. It also bears pale lavender-blue pin-cushion flowers on lanky 30-inch stems in late spring.

Noteworthy Characteristics: 

Great as fillers for containers and as summer bedding annuals. Related to the annual bachelor button.

Care: 

Prune off flower buds to encourage the plant's dramatic foliage, or let them blossom and use the flowers in bouquets. Once plants flower, they tend to sprawl open from the center. Grow in well-drained but moist soil in full sun.

Propagation: 

Easily grown from seed, or take cuttings in fall before frost.

Problems: 

White mold, rust, downy and powdery mildew, thread blight, and Southern blight can occur.

Overview

Height 1 ft. to 3 ft. Spread 6 in. to 12 in. Growth Habit Clumps Light Full Sun Only Moisture Medium Moisture Maintenance Moderate Characteristics Showy Flowers, Showy Foliage Bloom Time Summer Flower Color Purple Foliage Color Silver/Grey Uses Beds and Borders, Container, Cut Flower, Suitable as Annual Style Cottage Garden Seasonal Interest Spring Interest Type Annuals