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Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select
Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select
Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select
Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select
Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select
Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select
Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select
Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select
Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select
Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select
Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select
Bellina Pink Cornflower, Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis), Image Courtesy Plant Select

Bellina Pink Cornflower

Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis)
SKU: HC018136
$12.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Shipping:
Now shipping to zones 2-8.
Other zones shipping soon.
Overview
Psephellus simplicicaulis or Centaurea simplicicaulis 'Bellina' (Pink Cornflower) is a well-behaved, small-scale groundcover that has been grown by rock gardeners in the Intermountain West region for decades. Like dozens of dancing pom-poms atop clean, 8-inch stems, these plants perform for months beginning in mid-spring, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Deer-resistant ‘Bellina’ spreads slowly. Use as pathway edgers, where its dainty leaves – green above and silver below – soften coarse flagstones. Few xeric perennials bloom as long or have such delightful habit and form. A 2023 PlantSelect® selection.
key features
Botanical Name
Psephellus simplicicaulis (Centaurea simplicicaulis)
Growing Zones
Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Advantages
Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Long Bloom Time, Small Spaces, Rock Gardens
Soil Moisture
Very Waterwise, Waterwise
Light Requirements
Full Sun, Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
Mature Height
4" tall (8-10" in bloom)
Bloom Time
Early spring to mid summer
SKU
HC018136
Originally from Turkey and the southern Caucasus mountains, Psephellus simplicicaulis or Centaurea simplicicaulis 'Bellina' (Pink Cornflower) has been grown by rock gardeners in the Intermountain West region for decades. Here, this well-behaved Cornflower relative remains a tidy, low growing mat. It was plucked out of the finest rock gardens of the Front Range, drawing interest with to its clean profile, handsome finely-textured foliage, and exuberant long-lasting blooms of frilly pink flowers.

Plant in dry gardens, where it mingles well with other mats and cushions, or in perennial garden borders, where its unusual textured buds contrast with more conventional plant material. ‘Bellina’ Pink Cornflower makes a great contrast for plants with tawny colors. Avoid deadheading to preserve its interesting seedheads and pair it with cool season grasses, like fescues (Festuca spp. and x.) for summer interest, or Undaunted® Ruby Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia reverchonii UNDAUNTED®) for a three-season contrast in form and texture.

It has been tested by Plant Select®, a regional plant introduction organization founded in 1997 as a collaboration between Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens. The organization has brought together many of the region's best horticulturists, plant breeders, landscapers, and commercial plant growers with the goal of introducing regionally suitable plants for the Great Plains and Intermountain states.