DESKTOP 849 - DUSTY MILLER

Centaurea cineraria, the velvet centaurea, is also known as "dusty miller" and "silver dust". It is a small plant in the family Asteraceae and originates from the Island of Capraia in Italy, where it is called fiordaliso delle scogliere. The mature plants will grow from 15 cm to 60 cm. Depending on climate, it can be grown as either an annual or as a perennial.

They prefer full sun, but will tolerate light shade, and also prefers average to rich well-drained soil. Centaurea cineraria will produce small white, yellow flowers in summer, but these are usually trimmed because the plant is normally grown as foliage. The form with the mauve flowers illustrated here, resembles a little the cornflower (Centaurea cyaneus). It is Centaurea cineraria subsp. cineraria.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.