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Floppy Centaurea Montana

Kirsty.gardensKirsty.gardens Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Hello!

I’m relatively newly to gardening and have found this forum an endless source of useful info!

I couldn’t find a previous post on this so wonder if anyone can help. My centaurea Montana (in a new raised bed) are extremely floppy. They can’t stand upright anymore so are just lying on the soil despite my attempts to bolster them. Is this normal for this time of year? Or an issue with my soil? 

I’m not sure if local cats sitting on them has been part of the problem. 

Is there anything I can do? Should I cut them back? If so, how far and will they grow again?

Thanks so much! 

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited July 2023
    They always flop for me, if I don't bother staking them. But staking makes them look trussed up and strange somehow, so I find they're best allowed to flop through other plants. I cut them back hard when the flowers are over (like you do for oriental poppies) and they make new leaves but not always flowers.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I'm wondering if perhaps the soil is too rich. 
     Are they in a sunny position  ?

    They don't generally flop in my garden but they are in full sun, and the soil (especially in the front garden) isn't all that great where they are.

    Welcome to the forum  :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They do tend to be floppy in better soil, but they can be a bit like that anyway as they grow, especially if they get lots of moisture. If you stake them in future years, before they really get going, that will help, as the support gets hidden after a while, but growing them through other planting is the best solution, as @JennyJ describes.
    A couple of smaller woody shrubs near them is the ideal solution as they're the best supports of all   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Welcome to the forum … glad you’re finding it helpful 😊 

    Mine always flop after the main flush of flowers. I cut them hard back, give them a water and some feed and usually get a good second growth and flowering, just as with most hardy geraniums. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I seem to be lucky with the lack of flop 😁.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    AnniD said:
    I seem to be lucky with the lack of flop 😁.
    ooh err missus !  :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
     ;)@Fairygirl  
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    It's good of Gardeners World to give a safe space where us elderly gentlemen can discuss our prostate problems. 
    What? Not here?
    Whoops!
    Sunny Dundee
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