Description
Centaurea scabiosa
Greater Knapweed is a bee and butterfly favourite of the hedgerow, roadside and meadow. This perennial grows into a reasonable sized clump of spikey-looking, greyish leaves above which the stems of flowers appear in summer. Flowers, 3-4cm diameter across, for a long period and the seed heads are shiney and silver with fluffy seed and soft down. Grows in sun and well drained but poor soil. Sow at any time of year, in good quality seed compost and cover with about 0.5cm of the same compost or vermiculite. Keep moist but not wet. Benefits from 4 wks pre-chill – mix with a little damp sand, shake together and put in the fridge, shaking gently to aerate every week, then sow as normal.
The large seed is a food source for Goldfinch and Chaffinch
Shropshire seed
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