Mountain Bluet is an erect, clump-forming perennial flower which is native to Europe. Genus came from the popular name of various plants in the late 14th century, from Medieval Latin centaurea, from Latin centaureum, from Greek kentaureion, from kentauros "centaur", so called because the plant's medicinal properties were discovered by Chiron the centaur. Specific epithet means pertaining to mountains or coming from mountains. It is known for it's solitary, fringed, rich blue cornflowers with reddish blue centers and black-edged involucre bracts. Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun, Mountain Bluet are drought tolerant and tolerant of poor soils. It propagates two ways: by stolons, which rapidly form colonies when optimum growing conditions exist, or by seed. If deadheaded after bloom, you may get some additional blooms in the fall as well as the deadheading controlling the seeds. Plants need to be divided every 2-3 years. Summer into fall, fringed, rich blue cornflowers with reddish blue centers apper in clusters. Place in a meadow, naturalized area and along walkways. Works well for the borders of pollinator, cottage and cutting gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.