Centaurea Plants (Cornflower)

The striking genus Centaurea (commonly known as cornflower, knapweed or bachelor’s-button) offers garden-worthy plants—from bright blue blooms of the perennial Centaurea montana to the cheerful mixed colours of annual types—that lend vivid colour and texture to sunny borders. These plants often feature simple or fringed daisy- or thistle-like flower heads atop mounds of foliage; for example, Centaurea montana grows 30–60 cm tall, spreads into clumps, and thrives in dry to average, well-drained soil in full sun. Many Centaurea are drought‐tolerant once established and deer-resistant, making them well-suited to Canadian gardens with sun-filled, well-drained sites. Explore our Wildwood Express collection of Centaurea plants and bring bold colour and easy-care performance to your garden.