Centaurea gymnocarpa
will give gray foliage in sun or shade. Plan ahead for a large and
vigorous plant, three feet tall and 4-10 feet wide. Centaurea
gymnocarpa may look cut in the pot but with no
care it will readily grow to 10 feet across often swallowing everything in its path.
Plan to do some pruning and Centaurea gymnocarpa can be kept in check.
The Pink Dusty Miller provides plenty of
material for the compost heap. Centaurea gymnocarpa will bloom in sun or shade. It is one of
only a few gray plants that I know that will perform in dry shady conditions.
Helichrysum petiolare and Plectranthus argentatus are other
gray plants
that can take a shady condition. It has
survived temperatures into the low 20's without damage. Centaurea
gymnocarpa is a food source for the Painted
Lady Butterfly and a great addition to the butterfly
garden.
High resolution images
of Centaurea gymnocarpa are available.
