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Catananche spp.
Cupid's dart
Overview
Catananche spp. is a small genus of five species in the daisy family, native to the Mediterranean region. The cultivated species, C. caerulea, is a clump-forming perennial with narrow, gray-green, grassy leaves in a basal tuft, from which wiry stems rise 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) carrying solitary flower heads. The flowers are lavender-blue, sometimes white, with toothed, strap-shaped rays and a darker center, and the buds are wrapped in papery, silvery bracts that rustle and persist as the seed head dries. Bloom comes in summer over a long succession. The dried, straw-like flower heads are cut for everlasting arrangements. The genus grows on dry, stony Mediterranean grassland and tolerates heat and drought once established, but plants are short-lived, often persisting only two to three years before fading, and they rot in wet or heavy soils. Self-sown seedlings usually maintain a planting. Plants flower in the first or second year from seed. Full sun and sharp drainage are needed for the wiry stems to stand without flopping.
Native Range
Native to the Mediterranean Basin, from the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco across southern Europe, growing in dry grassland and on stony slopes.Suggested Uses
Grown in sunny borders, gravel gardens, and Mediterranean plantings for the blue summer flowers and papery seed heads. The blooms are cut fresh or dried for everlasting arrangements. Plants are not durable in damp, shaded, or heavy-soil sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 2'6"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering runs through summer, roughly June to August, with a long succession of single blue heads. Spent flowers dry to papery, silver seed heads that hold on the stems. Removing faded heads extends the display into early autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
lavender-blue, sometimes whiteFoliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in full sun on light, sharp-draining soil of low fertility, including sandy and chalky ground. They are raised from seed or division and set out 12-15 inches (30-38 cm) apart in spring. Established clumps tolerate drought and heat and need little summer water. Winter wet and rich, heavy soils shorten an already brief life, so sharp drainage matters. Plants are short-lived, and letting some seed heads ripen keeps the planting going through self-sown seedlings.Pruning
Faded flower stems are cut back through summer to prolong bloom and reduce self-seeding. A final cleanup removes spent stems in late autumn or spring. No other pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons