Centaurea montana , normally known as mountain cornflower or repeated cornflower , is indeed aboriginal to Europe . It is naturally found in various countries across Europe , admit Austria , Czech Republic , France , Germany , Hungary , Italy , Poland , Romania , Slovakia , and Switzerland .
In its native home ground , Centaurea montana typically grows in meadows and receptive woodland areas in the upper montane and sub - alpine zones . These zona are characterized by cool climates and restrained to eminent elevations . The plant thrives in well - drain soil and prefer full sun to partial shade .
Having been wide cultivated as a garden perennial , Centaurea montana has been introduced to various regions outside of its aboriginal range . One such area is British Columbia , Canada , where it has become an trespassing species . This means that the plant has aggressively spread and established itself in the wild , outcompeting aboriginal vegetation and disrupting the innate ecosystem .
The trespassing nature of Centaurea montana in British Columbia can be attribute to its ability to adapt and thrive in a wide cooking stove of conditions . It is a hardy plant that can allow different soil types and moisture level . Additionally , its prolific seed product and effective dissemination mechanisms , such as wind and animal transport , add to its power to scatter quickly and colonize unexampled area .
As an devouring nurseryman and landscape architect , I have in person run into Centaurea montana in both its native and invasive contexts . In Europe , I have seen this beautiful perennial in meadows and woodland sphere , where it adds a spatter of vivacious color with its mysterious blue - purple flowers . Its mien in these raw environments is proportionate and contributes to the overall biodiversity .
However , in British Columbia , I have witnessed the negative impact of Centaurea montana as an invasive species . It form dense stands that crowd out native works , reduce biodiversity and castrate the ecologic counterweight . The plant ’s belligerent growth wont and want of innate predators or diseases in its infix range further exacerbate its invasiveness .
To hold the spread of Centaurea montana in area where it is incursive , various direction scheme can be apply . These admit manual remotion of plant life , cut or mowing to prevent seed production , and the use of goods and services of weedkiller . to boot , raising awareness among gardeners and landscapers about the potential invasiveness of this plant can serve prevent its introduction and go around into new areas .
Centaurea montana is a aboriginal species to Europe , where it produce naturally in meadows and open woodland in montane and sub - alpine zones . However , it has become an invading specie in British Columbia , Canada , where it poses a threat to aboriginal ecosystem . As nurseryman and landscapers , it is important to be aware of the possible invasiveness of certain plant and take tone to foreclose their introduction and cattle ranch .
Caroline Bates
