Description
American basket flower (Centaurea americana) gets its common name from the intricate, overlapping scales that encircle the base of each powder-puff bloom, creating a basket-like effect. The large, thistle-like blooms, which close at night, tend to have white centers surrounded by a purplish pink outer ring. I’ve read the scent described as honey-sweet, but I don’t find it particularly noticeable unless I stick my nose right into the center of the flower, which is a perilous proposition due to the many bees wallowing among the fringed petals. Butterflies are also frequent visitors. The blooms appear through summer atop stems that can top out anywhere from 2 to 5 feet tall (figure on the shorter side of that range in average soil and the taller side in rich, moist conditions). Full sun. Annual.
Collected in August 2021. At least 15 seeds.
Please read the germination information as well before ordering.
Terry T. (verified owner) –
Seeds sprouted as advertised. Unfortunately, the squirrels worked against me, digging in and around the seedlings despite all measures taken. Grrrr. I would purchase again–I’ll just put them in a different spot.