Centaurea montana 'Alba' (Mountain Cornflower) is a vigorous rhizomatous perennial boasting white fringed flowers, sometimes tinged pink, in late spring to early summer. Attracting bees, butterflies and other admirers, the thistle-like blossoms appear atop the foliage of soft, gray-green, lance-shaped leaves. Trouble-free and easy to grow, this fanciful bloomer is a great choice for cottage gardens, sunny borders, or containers.

• Grows up to 18 in. tall (45 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or light shade in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Poor soils, heat and drought tolerant.
• Good choice for beds and borders, cottage gardens, prairies and meadows, coastal gardens and containers. Great as cut flowers too!
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew.
• Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering, and cut back in fall.
• Propagate by division in spring or autumn.
• Centaurea montana species is native to Europe, where it grows in meadows and open woodland in the upper montane and sub-alpine zones. This popular garden perennial has become an invasive species in British Columbia, Canada.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.