CATANANCHE caerulea (Cupid’s Dart) The bright blue, cornflower-like blooms of cupid’s dart, Catananche caerulea, appear continuously from early to late summer, peaking in midsummer. Each papery blue petal has a fine silvery stripe through the center. Plants are narrow and upright with sparse foliage; single specimens do not make much of a show so plant three or five in a group to make a better display. 

Grow Catananche caerulea in a mixed herbaceous border or gravel garden. Pair with with grey or silver-leafed plants such as artemisia and Stachys byzantina, which enjoy similar growing conditions.

A Northern Sunset perennial, it prefers average, well-drained soil in full sun.

(Image courtesy of Walters Gardens)