Catananche
(from katanangke, a strong incentive; referring to an ancient custom among the Greek women of using it in love potions). ORD. Compositae. Very pretty and free-growing annuals or perennials. Pappus scaly pointed; involucre scarious; florets all ligulate; heads solitary, on long stalks. They thrive in ordinary border soil. Increased by seeds, which should be sown in March or April, and the young plants, when large enough, potted off or pricked out in the position they are intended to occupy. The flowers are very useful for cutting.
C. caerulea (blue). fl.-heads blue, or blue and white. August. l. hoary, narrow, lanceolate, with one or two little teeth on each side. h. 3ft. South Europe, 1596. Hardy perennial. The form producing blue and white flowers is known in gardens as C. bicolor. (B. M. 293.) C. lutea (yellow). fl.-heads yellow. June. h. 1ft. l. similar to those of C. caerulea. South Europe, 1640. Hardy annual. (S. F. G. 821.)