Persian Coneflower

(Centaurea dealbata) Persian coneflower - also called a whitewash coneflower

This is one of my pride and joy perennial favorites that springs to life each year from a lime green carpet of Creeping Jenny in my garden along our patio, it's relatively easy to grow and drought tolerant. This plant is a close relative of the blue bachelor button, Centaura montana. The flower is a pinkish lavender color and smaller but has the typical scaled calyx.
What is particularly attractive about this plant is its graceful shape, from a narrow base it branches out into an attractive vase shape. Flowers form on long slender stem that is 18 - 24 inches long. The pale blue-green foliage is divided with a silvery underside that is covered in hairs.

A hardy perennial from zone 3-8, this plant will tolerate almost any kind of soil as long as it is well drained. Once it has its taproot down it will tolerate dry conditions but will succumb to lack of drainage especially while dormant.

The normal flowering period is late spring to early summer but it will bloom into mid summer if the plant is deadheaded regularly.

                               

they say "bloom where you're planted"...

...and after all, isn't life about stopping to smell the roses? It's the little things that matter most if you really stop and think about it... life should be cherished and enjoyed everyday, make the most of what you have and be thankful for it. This blog is a result of my ever growing passion for gardening. After over a year off to recover from back surgery, I've returned to work at a local greenhouse / nursery / garden center called "Podwika's Garden City Growers" located at 117 French Rd. in West Seneca, New York. Here are Directions if you're interested in stopping by to visit. The Owners, Jim & Lisa Podwika, are just all-around great people to work for... it's a family run business whose goal is to offer a quality product, at a fair price, with excellent customer service & handling. People are greeted with a smile and a friendly "hello" and made to feel as though they are appreciated. I learn something new every day and have met so many interesting people with a passion for gardening! Due to my (sometimes uncontrolable) addiction to plants, I spend a good portion of my earnings right there at Garden City. I'll be regularly posting pictures and information regarding the botanical bliss I've chosen to grow in the gardens and many containers surrounding our home, along with a few other surprise posts. Hope you enjoy reading about my gardening addiction as much as I enjoy living it!