Greater Knapweed
Centaurea scabiosa
Greater Knapweed is a perennial for mid-border, suited to full sun and loam or chalk, flowering Jul, Aug, Sep.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 80 cm |
| Spread | 45 cm |
| Aspect | full sun |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 5a-9a, RHS H7 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | Yes |
Where to use it in a border
At around 80 cm, it sits best through the middle of a border, between taller structure behind and edging in front. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 5a to 9a and rated H7 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of full sun, chalk soil, pollinator-friendly plants, pet-safe plants.
Border Builder uses Greater Knapweed's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Allegheny Monkeyflowerto edge in front
- Aromatic Asterto edge in front
- Betonyto edge in front
- Bird's-foot Trefoilto edge in front
- Blanket Flower 'Arizona Sun'to edge in front
- Blue Flag Iristo flower when it does not