American Basket-flower, American Star-thistle, Basket-flower, Star Thistle, Shaving Brush, Basket Flower
Rich with a sweet, honey fragrance, Centaurea americana (Basket Flower) is a magnificent annual boasting very large flowers, 4-5 in. across (10-12 cm), with pinkish lavender ray flowers surrounding creamy disc flowers. Blooming profusely in late spring to late summer, the blossoms open from architectural, egg-shaped flower buds covered with a woven-looking pattern of bristled scales. They rise cheerfully atop tall stout stems clothed with lance-shaped leaves and are visited by butterflies and other pollinators. The flowers are followed by fluffy seed heads and songbirds feast on them as soon as they are ripe. An easily cultivated wildflower, Basket Flower is perfect for the back of flower borders or meadow plantings. Excellent for cutting and drying too.
| Hardiness |
2 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Plant Family | Compositae |
| Genus | Centaurea |
| Common names | Basket-flower, Shaving Brush, Star Thistle |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
| Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spacing | 24" - 30" (60cm - 80cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Rhode Island, New York, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma |
| Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
| Hardiness |
2 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Plant Family | Compositae |
| Genus | Centaurea |
| Common names | Basket-flower, Shaving Brush, Star Thistle |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
| Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spacing | 24" - 30" (60cm - 80cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Rhode Island, New York, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma |
| Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Centaurea americana (Basket Flower) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Centaurea americana (Basket Flower) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
