Description | Cupids Dart (Catananche caerulea) is a short-lived perennial with blue flowers. |
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Pronunciation | (kat-a-NAN-ke)(se-RU-lee-ah) |
Plant Type | Perennials Hardy, Site author's observations, Short lived perennials |
Hardiness Zone | (3)4-9 |
Sunlight | full |
Moisture | average, drought tolerant once established |
Soil & Site | average, well drained, wet soil can be fatal |
Flowers | 2 inch, each ray flower (petal) is blue, central disk flowers are darker blue, yellow contrasting stamens, borne on slender stalks |
Leaves | basal foliage, pubescent on both sides, gray-green |
Dimensions | 8-12 inches tall |
Maintenance | division every 1-2 years to maintain plant vigor |
Propagation | seeds, division |
Native Site | Native to Southern Europe. |
Misc Facts | Catananche is derived from Geek referring to strong incentives, as plants were used in love potions in earlier times.(#40) A good source of cut flowers. |
Author's Notes | I grew this plant a few times, and a year or two seemed to be its limit. Flowering was best in the second year. |
Notes & Reference | #04-Herbaceous Perennial Plants (Allan Armitage), #40-Herbaceous Ornamental Plants (Steven Stills) |