Cephalaria gigantea

GIANT PINCUSHION

Cephalaria gigantea
GIANT PINCUSHION

Fragrant lemon pincushions on 120-180cm stems make Cephalaria gigantea a must for the back of flower beds or behind roses.
It has such an airy, graceful and tall look and gives excellent value for a small amount of space, despite it’s tall and willowy growth.
And the abundant lemon pincushion blooms make lovely cut flowers for vases indoors, where they last well.

Cephalaria gigantea GIANT PINCUSHION is perfect for adding height in the garden.
But height without using heavy, blocking, overbearing plants.
It is a gentle giant because it is airy, whispy, graceful, and exceptionally tall.

Lemon pincushions in the sky

Soft lemon pincushions rise on stems that seem to reach for the sky from Cephalaria gigantea.
So the pincushions are borne proudly on widely branched stems, and wave gracefully in the breeze.
And below is a neat clump of attractive mid-green foliage.

Cephalaria gigantea makes a hardy evergreen perennial clump that is very easy to have in the garden.
Because it is a water-wise plant with a deep foraging root system, so it prefers an occasional deep watering rather than frequent smaller watering. It can therefore withstand some periods of dry once established.
Tough and easy and low maintenance.

Plant in Full Sun to ½ Shade where it is hardy in frost and wide range of soils.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Sow any time from late winter to autumn end.

Sow in punnets on surface of good quality seed raising mix. Only finely cover to 1.5mm depth with seed mix or vermiculite.

18-21C best for rapid germination, then seedlings emerge in 14-21 days.

Seeds need light to germinate.

SEED COUNT: 8 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

Growing: Cephalaria gigantea

GIANT PINCUSHION

– Height with flowers: Lemon pincushions on 120cm – 180cm approx. branching, airy stems.
– Width: At the base is a neat clump of foliage to a diameter of 40cm – 60cm approx.
– Position: Full Sun or Partial to 1/2 Shade.
Because Cepahalaria gigantea, Giant Pincushion is a very obliging, hardy, easy growing plant.
It also quite enjoys the company of other plants.
So plant amongst other perennials or trees and shrubs, where it can billow up to it’s heart’s content.

Hardy & easy to grow

– Water-wise: Cephalaria is not a particularly thirsty or fussy plant. So normal, average garden watering is ample. It can withstand some periods of dry between drinks.
– Soil: Giant Pincushion is undemanding. So it will grow happily in a very wide range of soils. From light sandy to heavy clay, and anywhere in between.
But it does thrive with a handful of lime (unless you live on limestone country where it is exceptionally happy).
– Frost: Cephalaria gigantea is very frost hardy, because it can tolerate frosts to well below -10C.

Low maintenance

– Growth: Perennial clump.
– Care: Cephalaria gigantea is an easy care, low maintenance plant.
So the only real work needed is to cut back the tall flower branches after the long summer blooming. And you cut these right to the ground. So leaving the perennial foliage clump.
Plus a handful of fertilizer in spring rewards with even more pincushions over summer.
Cephalaria are hardy plants that are also rarely if ever, plagued by pests and diseases.
Although it is such a tall plant, it rarely needs any extra staking. Because it is so airy the wind just passes through the flexible stems.

So nice to have in the garden

– Fragrant: The lemon pincushions have a sweet scent. And it wafts delightfully on the breeze. Flowers also make excellent cut flowers in a vase (so make it a tall one).
– Beneficial for wildlife: Bees, and other welcome pollinators, just love the nectar rich pincushions.
– Deer & Rabbit resistant:
– Origin: Cepahalaria gigantea hails from a very wide range of native habitats. And so this accounts for such a hardy and adaptable plant. It can be found in the wild from North Africa in the south of it’s territory, to Siberia in the north.

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