Catananche caerulea – Graceful Blue Blooms for Sun-Drenched Elegance
Catananche caerulea, commonly known as Cupid’s Dart, is a hardy perennial admired for its papery, cornflower-blue flowers that dance atop slender stems. Native to the Mediterranean, this sun-loving plant brings a light, airy quality to borders, meadows, and gravel gardens. With a long flowering season and strong architectural presence, Catananche adds movement, colour, and charm to both traditional and contemporary planting schemes.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
Spring:
Basal rosettes of narrow, grey-green leaves form early in the season, providing a neat, silvery base as the flower spikes begin to emerge.
Summer:
From early to late summer, charming daisy-like flowers in lavender-blue to violet hues bloom freely on wiry stems. The flowers, with their crinkled texture and deep purple centres, are a magnet for bees and butterflies and ideal for cutting or drying.
Autumn:
As flowering slows, the papery seed heads remain attractive, adding structure and texture well into the autumn months. These can be left for winter interest or cut for dried arrangements.
Winter:
Plants die back in colder regions but remain semi-evergreen in milder climates. In winter, their compact base holds form, waiting to burst into new growth as spring returns.
Structure & Form
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Height: 60–80 cm
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Spread: 30–40 cm
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Habit: Upright, clump-forming with wiry, branching flower stems
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Foliage: Narrow, grey-green, slightly hairy leaves in basal clumps
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Flowers: Papery, lavender-blue with purple eyes, approx. 4 cm across
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Growth Rate: Moderate
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Lifespan: Long-lived and drought-tolerant once established
Perfect for Various Landscapes
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Cottage Gardens: A romantic companion to pinks, lavenders, and scabious.
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Wildflower Meadows: Blends seamlessly in naturalistic or prairie-style plantings.
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Gravel & Mediterranean Gardens: Perfectly suited to free-draining, sun-baked sites.
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Cutting Gardens: Ideal for fresh or dried arrangements due to the long-lasting flowers.
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Containers: Grows well in pots with good drainage in sunny spots.
Growing Conditions & Care
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Position: Full sun is essential; thrives in hot, dry, exposed positions.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soil; drought-tolerant once established.
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Watering: Low. Water only during prolonged dry spells in the first season.
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Hardiness: Hardy in most regions (H5 UK); best with some protection in harsh winters.
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Maintenance: Minimal. Deadhead to prolong flowering or leave seed heads for winter interest. Divide clumps every few years in spring or autumn if needed.
Why Choose Catananche caerulea?
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Striking Blue Blooms: The clear blue flowers provide vibrant colour and soft texture.
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Drought Tolerant: Perfect for low-maintenance, dry gardens.
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Excellent Cut Flower: Long-lasting blooms with papery charm—fresh or dried.
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Wildlife Friendly: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
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Architectural Grace: Delicate stems sway in the breeze, adding movement and lightness to the garden.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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With Grasses: Pair with Stipa tenuissima or Panicum virgatum for a soft, airy look.
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With Other Sun-Lovers: Combine with Lavandula, Achillea, Salvia, or Eryngium for a Mediterranean palette.
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With Silvers & Whites: Enhance its glow with Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’, Echinacea ‘White Swan’, or Gaura lindheimeri.
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In Meadows: Works well among Scabiosa, Knautia, and native wildflowers for a romantic, naturalistic style.
Catananche caerulea is a sun-kissed perennial with timeless charm, offering delicate blue flowers that float above fine, grey-green foliage. Whether in formal borders or wild-inspired schemes, it delivers colour, movement, and pollinator appeal with minimal fuss—a truly elegant and resilient garden treasure.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
