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How to Grow and Care for Mountain Cornflowers

Centaurea montana

This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringblue flowering plantA photograph is availableHow to Use the Plant Care Icons at The Garden Helper
The Mountain Cornflower is an easy to grow, upright perennial which forms large clumps which typically reach three feet tall.

Growing Requirements for Mountain Cornflower Plants

Mountain Cornflowers begin producing their bright blue, two inch flowers in late spring and will often continue blooming well into fall.
Centaurea montana is hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
It requires full sun, but can be grown in most ordinary garden soil, provided that it is well draining.
Mountain Cornflower is a fairly drought tolerant plant.
Feed monthly with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer
Plant Cornflowers 12" apart in the garden any time after all danger of frost has passed.
Be sure to remove spent blooms regularly to induce continued flowering.
Cornflowers should be divided every 2-3 years.

Propagating Mountain Cornflowers

Sow Mountain Cornflower seeds indoors eight weeks before your last expected frost date.
Centaurea seeds need complete darkness to germinate, so be sure to cover them well.
Keep the temperature within the growing medium at a minimum of 60° F.
Germination takes 3-4 weeks.
Mountain Cornflowers can also be propagated by division in the spring or fall.
Mountain Cornflower
Centaurea montana
A Mountain Cornflower Plant in Bloom, Centaurea montana


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