Plant type: perennial.
- Origin: These hardy plants were first discovered in Europe.
- Flowering: summer. The shades of flowers are yellow, cream, and their shape is cupped. Flowers appear on stiff stems.
- Foliage: dark green, oval or lanceolate.
- Care: Cephalaria is easy to care for.
- Humidity level: moderate.
- Lighting: full sun or partial shade.
Description: This flower is also known as the Giant Yellow Scabiosa. In total, there are about 65 species in this genus, and they belong to the tufted family. Hardy perennials have a branching habit and bloom similar to the well-known blue scabiosa. Cephalaria love the sun, but can also grow well in partial shade. In height, these plants can reach a maximum of about one and a half meters. In width, these perennials grow by 1-1.5 meters. They are often used for planting in borders. The flowers of the alpine species of this plant have a yellow tint, and their flowering period is from June to July. Cephalaria giant is a very popular perennial that also has a yellow tint to the flowers. This species is often used for decorative purposes, and its flowers look great in vases. Their foliage is of decorative value.
Temperature: These perennials do not like cold winters, but they also do not tolerate hot and humid summers. Cephalaria grow best in temperate climates.
Soil Type: The soil should be rich in nutrients and provide good drainage.
Watering: The soil should always be moist. These perennials require regular watering. You can use rain water. Be careful as it may contain harmful acids.
Fertilizers: top dressing should be applied in the spring. Starting mid-September, no fertilizer is needed.
Reproduction: carried out by dividing or planting seeds. If you are going to reproduce cephalaria by planting seeds, plant them indoors in the spring. The distance between plants should be from 60 to 90 cm. Seeds germinate in 3-8 weeks. Seeds need light to germinate. The temperature should be between 13 and 18°C. When growing seeds indoors, sprouts should be taken outside after the last frost has passed. If you plan to plant the seedlings in pots, then you need to transplant them when they are strong and about 9-10 cm long. Then they can be planted in large containers.
When propagating cephalaria in the garden by planting seeds, they should be planted in spring at a depth of about 7 mm. The soil in the garden must be moist, and the location sunny and slightly shady.
If you plant the seeds between January and March, then the plants will flower in June, and if the seeds are planted from April to August, then the plants will most likely bloom the following year.
Photo description: if you do not regularly remove dead cephalaria buds, then the plant can reproduce on its own.
Application: cephalaria, whose flowers are of decorative value, is often used to decorate borders. Also very often the flowers of this perennial are used for cutting. When cut flowers are placed in a vase, they will last about 10 days.
Additionally: Cephalaria, which is easy to care for, will grow better if it is provided with support. Remove flowers as soon as they fade. You can separate the plants every two to three years so they have more strength and energy. To give your plant a more bushy appearance, you can prune it back in May or June. The nectar of flowers attracts a large number of beneficial insects, including butterflies and bees.