Centaurea scabiosa L.
Great Starthistle
Greater knapweed is a handsome, robust perennial, taller and more striking than its common cousin, with large, vivid red-purple flowerheads whose outer florets spread into a showy ruff. Its deeply cut, almost feathery leaves set it apart from common knapweed, and the strong, branching stems rise from a deep, woody rootstock that helps it endure dry summers.
About
Greater knapweed is a handsome, robust perennial, taller and more striking than its common cousin, with large, vivid red-purple flowerheads whose outer florets spread into a showy ruff. Its deeply cut, almost feathery leaves set it apart from common knapweed, and the strong, branching stems rise from a deep, woody rootstock that helps it endure dry summers.
A British native with a strong preference for lime, it is most at home on chalk and limestone grassland, sunny banks, verges and cliff tops, growing in well-drained soils in full sun. It blooms through high and late summer, and its broad, nectar-rich heads are a magnet for butterflies, bees and day-flying moths, with goldfinches taking the seed later in the year. It is a valued component of calcareous grassland and wildflower seed mixes aimed at richer pollinator habitat.
Also known as
Greater Centaury · Greater Knapweed · Hardheads · Scabious Knapweed · greater centaurea · rough knapweed
Synonyms
Acosta scabiosa · Acrocentron scabiosa · Centaurea scabiosa laevis · Centaurea scabiosa scabiosa · Centaurea scabiosa triangularis · Centaurea scabiosa vulgaris · Colymbada scabiosa scabiosa
In our seed mixes
- BFS 10 – Species Rich Wildflower Meadow Seed Mix
- BFS 120 – Wildlife Wildflower Seed Mix for Bees, Birds and Butterflies- 100% Flora
- BFS10(F) – Species Rich 100% Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS11(F)- Coastal Meadow 100% Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS7(F)- Calcareous Grassland 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
- UM11 – Patchwork Wildflower Mix
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.