Centaurea 'Aloha Rosa'

Centaurea americana

Intricately woven buds, resembling tiny yabbie traps, burst open into feathery, smoky lavender petals surrounding a striking centre of purple fibre optic-like rods, often tipped in black.

• Unusual smoky lavender-violet blooms
• Intricately woven, visually fascinating buds
• Large flowers to 10–12cm across
• Tall stems reaching 60–80cm
• Excellent cut flower with a long vase life
• Loved by bees and other pollinators

The unusual, oversized blooms of this variety reach 10–12cm across - much larger then the native species -  and are held on tall 60–80cm stems, making them a wonderfully distinctive cut flower with a long vase life.

Native to North America and known as the American Basketflower, it takes its name from the remarkable basket-weave pattern of its flower buds. The plants flower generously throughout summer and into early autumn, producing an abundance of blooms that bees simply adore.

Certified Demeter Biodynamic and Certified Organic

SEED COUNT: 50 approx
Germination: Lot#37116 80% Jul 2026

Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information

DIRECT SOW: Sow direct into prepared, raked soil 3mm deep in drills 30cm apart. Thin to 15cm spacing when large enough to handle.

TRANSPLANT (recommended): Start seed indoors 6 weeks before transplanting into spring garden with warmed soil. Sow into moist seed compost. Cover with a fine sprinkling of vermiculite. Propagate at 15-20°C, keep moist. Germination takes 14-21 days. Transplant seedlings once large enough to handle.

HARVESTING/VASE LIFE: Buds add visual interest to arrangements, so we cut longer stems and include blooms that are 1/4 open and buds. Expect a vase life of about 5-7 days.

PLEASE NOTE: May require support. Deadhead regularly to extend the flowering period.