Annuals | Perennials | Vegetables | Herbs | Home  Catananche caerulea bicolor Catananche caerulea bicolor Hardy Herbaceous Perennial - Flowers: Summer
- Soil: Well drained
- Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Height: 36 inches
- Germination: Easy
- Aftercare: Easy
- Special Features: Flowers in first year
- Ideal for: Border, Cut Flower, Dried Flower
Description This first-year flowering hardy perennial is the rarer white form of the blue Cupid's Dart. White semi-double star-like flowers, occasionally flecked with blue, 5cm (2in), stand upon long wiry stems held well above the neat grey green foliage. Together with the silvery buds, this plant makes an eye-catching cut flower, or border plant. Height 60cm (24in). Sowing Instructions | Sowing time: | February to June. |
|---|
| Sowing depth: | 1.5mm (1/16in) |
|---|
Sow in a good seed compost. Seed sown in February will often flower the same year. Germination can take 14-28 days at 18-20C (65-70F). Keep the compost moist but not saturated, sealing in a polythene bag after sowing is helpful. Lower the temperature after germination to around 13-18C (55-60F) and when large enough to handle, transplant the seedlings carefully, into boxes or 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow in good light. Growing Instructions When well grown gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions and plant out 45cm (18in) apart in full sun and well drained, ordinary garden soil. Aftercare Instructions Water in after planting and until fully established, an occasional good soaking in very hot weather is helpful. The papery bracts surrounding the flower bud can be dried to make 'everlastings'.
|
