Pink Basket Flower

Pink Basket Flower (Centaurea americana) - It is hard to resist these large, puffy mauve flowers and their sweet honey-like scent. Native to mid and southern US states, basket flower is named after the straw-coloured bracts that hold the buds in place. The multi-branching habit yields many pink-mauve coloured flowers per plant, each radiating a lovely creamy white center with striking mauve-pink feathery fringes. Flowers can exceed 4 or 5 inches across and plants can reach 5 feet high. A fairly long bloom period beginning in midsummer to late fall. Highly attractive to many bee species, especially bumble bees. Makes a beautiful addition to flower gardens and/or naturalized spaces. Also quite popular as a cut vase flower. 

30 seeds per packet 

Growing Information: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost. Sow at ¼”  depth, keeping temperature between 18 - 22 C. Space transplants 16 - 20” apart. Can also be directly sown outdoors after the last spring frost. Expect germination within 1 - 3 weeks.

Days to Germination: 7 - 20

Plant Spacing: 12" (30cm)

Plant Height: 36 - 60" (90 -130 cm)

Features:

Annual

Hardiness Zones: 3

Bloom Time: Summer to Fall

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Attracts Bees & Butterflies

Heat & Drought Resistant

Great as Cut or Vase Flower