Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Asteraceae

Genus:

Centaurea

Species:

Centaurea diluta

USDA Symbol:

CEDI4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Annual

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

100 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

may,jun,jul,aug

Bloom Colors:

pink, purple, white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

thrives in arid and semi-arid regions

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

7–21 days

Notes:

Seeds germinate readily at 15-20°C without pretreatment. Light may improve germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI