WSU Clark County Extension
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Mountain Bluet

Scientific name: Centaurea montana
Taxonomy
Family:Asteraceae
Type:Herbaceous perennials
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:3 to 8
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:2 ft
Width:2 ft
Bloom:Showy flowers
Bloom Time:May to June
Bloom Color:Blue
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description For those who love blue flowers in their herbaceous perennials be sure to include Mountain Bluet in the garden palette. It is often sold as Mountain Cornflower.

  Morphology:
This is an herbaceous perennial that grows to 2’ in height and 1.5’ in width. It is classified as a clump forming perennial that can spread by stolons. Leaves are lance shaped and up to 7” in length. They form in dense clusters at the base of the flower stalks.

The intense blue colored cornflowers are borne on the tops of 2’ long stalks. Look for them in late spring and perhaps in early fall if the spring flowers have been dead-headed.

  Adaptation:
Mountain Bluet is pretty well adapted to most soil types. Ensure that it gets full sun. After a couple of years the plants will have to be divided as they will probably out-grow their space. It will also send up new plants from spent flower seeds.

  Pests:
Powdery mildew is a problem where this plant does not get enough air movement.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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