Centaurea The Bride

Centaurea ‘The Bride’ (Centaurea imperialis) is an elegant annual flowering plant known for its fragrant, feathery white blooms and fine, silvery-green foliage. Part of the sweet sultan group and adds a soft, romantic touch to gardens and floral arrangements. The lightly scented flowers bloom from early to mid-summer.

As a cut flower, ‘The Bride’ is prized for its long stems and soft texture. It pairs beautifully with other cottage garden favourites such as larkspur, nigella and cosmos. Its vase life is moderate, but frequent cutting encourages more blooms, extending its flowering period. It can also be dried for rustic-style arrangements.

In the garden, ‘The Bride’ is ideal for borders, wildflower-style plantings, and cottage gardens, offering airy height and graceful movement in the breeze. It prefers full sun and grows well in light, free-draining soils, tolerating dry conditions once established.

To grow from seed, sow directly into the garden from August to October, or start indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost. Centaurea benefits from minimal feeding and only light watering once established. Deadheading spent blooms will prolong flowering and help maintain a tidy appearance throughout the season.