Common Name: psephellus
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to July
Bloom Description: Rose-pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Drought tolerant. Performs well in alkaline soils. Remove flower stalks to the ground after bloom to promote additional bloom.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Psephellus pulcherrimus, sometimes called pink bachelor’s button, is an erect, clump-forming perennial that features rose-pink cornflowers (to 2” diameter) with pinkish-white centers and silvery-yellow involucre bracts. Flowers appear in late spring to early summer singly atop slender, unbranched, sparsely-leaved stems typically growing 12-16” tall. Pinnately-dissected, lance-shaped, gray-green basal leaves (to 10” long). Upper stem leaves are much smaller (sometimes entire). Native to rocky slopes and alpine meadows in the Caucusus Mountains.
Formerly known as Centaurea pulcherrima.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Rust, aster yellows and stem rot are occasional problems.
Uses
Best massed in rock gardens or border fronts. Also useful in areas with poor rocky soils.