CENTAUREA. Widespread, mostly in Europe, Asia, N. America. This is a diverse group of annual and perennial daisies, including the Cornflower, Dusty Miller, and some thistle-like plants. The following are perennials of easy culture, thriving with sun, most soils, and moderate to occasional watering. Hardy to 0oF or less.
dealbata. A tightly clumping plant with rosettes of attractive leaves, divided feather-like and colored grey green above and nearly white beneath. From mid-spring to fall it produces a succession of branched 18" flower stalks bearing large, pink to lavender flower heads. The rays are narrow and dissected and surround a thistle-like center.
montana. Only in bloom does this species bear any resemblance to the last. It grows bushy and nearly erect, to 1-2’. The stems are furry and closely set with large dark green, narrowly oval leaves, margined with white hairs and felted beneath. The flower heads in the typical form are about 2½" across, with narrowly cleft, purple-blue rays and a slightly lighter disk. ‘Alba’ is a seed strain distinguished by pure white flower heads.