Catananche caerulea 'Alba' , also known as the pale blue star flower, is a beautiful short-lived perennial with white, daisy-like flowers and a delicate, airy appearance. The flowers have a subtle, almost translucent quality and bloom on long, slender stems, allowing them to rise gracefully above the foliage. This makes them ideal for natural, romantic gardens.

The star flower is perfect for borders, wildflower meadows and rockeries. Its long-lasting flowers also make it an excellent cut and dried flower. When dried, it retains its shape and colour, making it a favourite in dried bouquets and flower arrangements. It also attracts bees and butterflies, which contributes to biodiversity in the garden.

Sow directly outdoors in early spring or autumn. Pre-sowing in trays is also possible, after which the young plants can be planted out in the open ground after the last frost.

Catananche caerulea 'Alba' thrives in full sun and well-drained, dry to moderately moist soil. It is drought tolerant and grows well in poor, chalky soils. Flowering begins in June and can continue into September.

This plant is native to southern Europe and is mainly found in grasslands and rocky areas around the Mediterranean.