Centaurea atropurpurea

Centaurea atropurpurea is a tall perennial thistle with intensely purplish-red flowers that bloom in summer, rising above its deeply lobed, silvery foliage.

Cousin to the cornflower, this century retains all the wildflower hardiness and then adds a few tricks up its sleeve.

It is extraodinarily hardy and – contrary to its cousin – it is a perennial.

It is drought tolerant and mostly disease free – whilst bringing a particularly elegant color palette.

Burgundy – how many gardens have a resilient, self-sowing, drought-resistant elegant burgundy flower?

Not many! This variety in particular thrives in the Carpathians so the hotter, the rockier – the better.

Sun-loving, this baroque plant is perfect for natural, rewilded flower beds.

The Tale

Centaurea, the genus name, comes from the Centaur Chiron, who used the flowers of this plant as a poultice to cover an infected wound made by an arrow dipped in Hydra’s (the lake monster) blood.

The wound was cured and so, the story goes, Cornflowers were given the name Centaurea.

Atropurpurea means ‘dark purple’. Burgundy to dark purple. Burgurple.

Other Names

Purple Centaurea

Origin

Balkans, Romania