Giant Knapweed, Great-Headed Centaury, Bighead Knapweed, Big Yellow Centaurea, Lemon Fluff, Yellow Bachelor's Button, Yellow Hardhat, Armenian Basketflower, Grossheimia macrocephala
Centaurea macrocephala (Giant Knapweed) is a large, clump-forming perennial boasting large, bright yellow, thistle-like flowers, 3-4 in. wide (7-10 cm), enclosed in shiny, papery brown bracts in early to mid-summer, Blooming for 2-3 weeks, the blossoms attract bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. The bold blossoms appear atop sturdy, stiff stems above the foliage of broadly lance-shaped leaves. Native to the Caucasus, Giant Knapweed self-seeds readily and can become invasive. It can out-compete grasses and other forage species, reducing food sources for wildlife and livestock. It is very difficult to remove once established.
| Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 7 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Compositae |
| Genus | Centaurea |
| Common names | Bachelor's Button, Knapweed |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid) |
| Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 16" - 24" (40cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
| Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 7 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Compositae |
| Genus | Centaurea |
| Common names | Bachelor's Button, Knapweed |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid) |
| Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 16" - 24" (40cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Centaurea macrocephala (Giant Knapweed) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Centaurea macrocephala (Giant Knapweed) | 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.
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