Centaurea ragusina (Silver Knapweed)
Silver Knapweed, Ragusa Knapweed, Dubrovnik Cornflower, Snowflake Dusty Miller, Centaurea clementei
Noted for its ravishing foliage, Centaurea ragusina (Silver Knapweed) is a relatively short-lived evergreen perennial forming decorative rosettes of soft, velvety, silver-white leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm). The rosettes of pinnately lobed leaves are reminiscent of snowflakes, hence the Snowflake Dusty Miller common name. From late spring through mid-summer, fat, thistle-like, bright yellow flowers, up to 2 in. wide (5 cm), rise cheerfully atop solitary to few branched stems. Quite beautiful, they stand out against the silver foliage. Native to Croatia where it grows on cliffs, rocks, and stone walls on the islands and mainland of the central and southern Dalmatian coast, Silver Knapweed is a very attractive foliage plant for use in Mediterranean gardens and containers.
- Grows up to 12-24 in. tall (30-60 cm) and 24-36 in. wide (60-90 cm).
- Performs best in full sun in dry or minimally irrigated, poor, stony, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established. Tolerant to wind, salt spray, and seashore conditions
- Perfect for beds and borders, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, and rock gardens. Excellent choice for containers.
- Easy to grow and virtually pest and disease free. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew, and aphids.
- Propagated by cuttings.
- Native to Croatia.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 8
– 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Centaurea - Cornflowers |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 24" – 30" (60cm – 75cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Salt |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com, Seán A. O'Hara, Megan Hansen, Olivier Bruchez, Flickr
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 8
– 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Centaurea - Cornflowers |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 24" – 30" (60cm – 75cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Salt |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |