Centaurea montana 'AMETHYST IN SNOW'

Bluet is a native perennial of Czech countryside, growing around lower mountains of Šumava and Nové Hrady. I can understand that farmers are unhappy when its close relative cornflower (centaurea cyanus) weeds in their fields but looking at a blue mass of just blooming bluets is fantastic and brings us back to our childhood when we used to appreciate simple beauty of nature and its colours.

Amethyst in Snow is a unique variety of mountain bluet where blue is truly out of the question. This perennial makes the most amazing flowers with amethyst purple centres and snow white or very pale pink ray florets on 30-40 cm tall stem that do not bend. Flowers are produced from early June, and continuously until July or even August if deadheaded regularly. Deciduous leaves are light to mid green, broadly lanceolate, slightly hairy.

In the wild it is considered endangered species. Grow it in a sunny border or in part shade. As it makes a compact, bushy clump, it can be used as a groundcover among perennial with tall stems. Bluet needs free-draining soil that is medium fertile and preferably evenly moist rather than dry on hot summer days. It can be cut back by about two thirds after flowering to encourage new foliage that will keep the plant attractive by the end of the season. Plants can be divided every 2-3 years in early spring or late autumn. Hardy to about -40°C (USDA zone 3)

Last update 24-01-2013