Plant of the week: Centaurea
Centaurea: They come in many colours (from intense blues, reds and yellows to any mixture of these and lighter shades that are almost white) and sizes.
There are ornamentals for the back of a border, and the knapweeds that make their homes where and when they please.
The latter are often considered a pets but they are, nevertheless, a very striking flower.
The common blue knapweed (C nigra) is happiest growing in grass - in fields and on road verges.