What could this be?

15 years ago

I know, I know - post a picture. But I have no idea how, or any optimistic ideas that I'm going to be able to figure it out.

Anyway, I have this plant that just showed up in my garden - I have no idea where it came from, so I've been waiting and waiting for it to flower. It finally did and no one can tell me what it is. I've been trying to look on the internet - but searching under 'blue flower' is a little broad, so I thought maybe you all would have some ideas I could narrow it down with a bit.

The plant is about a foot tall, and the flower is really neat - a dark, kinda cobalt blue with a flat fuzzy center and really thin, wispy petals sticking out around the center like a pinwheel. But wispy, not rigid and it's like each petal spits into two at the ends. The flower is about 2-3" across. Any ideas? I really like it.

Comments (7)

heleninramsey
15 years ago
Just a stab...is it Love-in-a Mist?

Here is a link that might be useful: Nigella damascena
minnesotastan
15 years ago
It's presumably a wildflower of some type. Try looking for an image of it at this great website which shows the wildflowers of Minnesota -

http://www.jburroughs.org/science/resources/wildflowers/mnwildflowers.html

you could have a wild phlox

Here is a link that might be useful: Wildflowers of Minnesota
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mickeyjane
Original Author
15 years ago
Found it! It's Centaurea Montana

http://www.robsplants.com/plants/CentaMonta.php

I planted bachelor buttons, but not this. Wonder if it could've gotten mixed up in the package?
Good thing it's beautiful!
Thanks a lot guys - and I'm going to have to plant that Love-in-a-Mist - I really like how it looks too!
hostaholic2 z 4, MN
15 years ago
The common name for Centaurea Montana is perennial bachelor button. It is a lovely flower but it can reseed and spread rather quickly, so keep your eyes open. I usually cut mine back after bloom.
mickeyjane
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks - I'll try to remember that - I have so much to learn about flowers and decorative stuff.
Right now our beds are still new and I LOVE finding out that things reseed - I want an entire lawn full of flowers without all these bare spots (and without having to plant so many annuals).
Thanks for helping me out you all!
leaveswave
15 years ago
mickeyjane, I have a pink version and would like to plant a blue one next to it. If you collect seeds or divide your plant I have lots of choices to offer in trade!
dandy_line (Z3b N Cent Mn)
15 years ago
Leaveswave-I have a bunch of C. montana over here that I put next to my woods 5 years ago and they just thrive away.
Some of the clumps have gotten quite large. They have never reseeded for me tho. Perhaps we can do a trade later on.