trefle.io · Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)
Asteraceae
Rough star thistle
Centaurea aspera
Also known as Iberian starthistle, Centaurea iberica, Iberian knapweed
Native Plants · Thistle · Wildflower · Asteraceae · Mediterranean · Drought Tolerant · Pollinator Plant · Full Sun · Poor Soil · Centaurea · Spiny
Rough star thistle is a sun-loving Mediterranean perennial that is extremely easy to grow in poor, well-drained soils and tolerates dry spells once established. Plant it in a full-sun border or wildflower meadow where it will produce spiny, attractive flower heads beloved by pollinators. Minimal care is needed — avoid overwatering or rich soils, which can cause floppy growth.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 8 hours
- Watering
- Water sparingly; allow soil to dry completely between waterings as this plant tolerates dry conditions well · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7–7.5
- Temperature
- -20°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
Hardiness
USDA 4a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 18 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Baleares, Corse, France, Great Britain, Italy, Morocco, New South Wales, New York, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, South Australia, Spain
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Moths
Sources: trefle, usda
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