are bittersweet in the garden. They grow for a year and die when they’ve completed their life cycle. Most annuals sold at nurseries are not native wildflowers, and they lack the beneficial adaptations of native plants. The American basketflower is one of these natives, and it’s a delightful surprise when it readily reseeds in the garden.

There’s no need to mourn the last of the basketflower blooms each season, as the plant will sprout again and again from seeds each fall. Unlike frost-tender annuals like Coleus and Impatiens that struggle to set seed, American basketflowers are tough reproducers without the gardener’s help.

These plants are perfect for sunny spots with good drainage, and they form a gorgeous mass planting with other annual wildflowers like sunflowers and firewheels. Throughout the summer, their tall, slender stems grow large pink flowers that delight gardeners and pollinators alike.
What Is American Basketflower?
An icon of eastern prairies and meadows, the American basketflower pops its pink-purple flower heads above native grasses and wildflowers. Known scientifically as Centaurea americana, this annual is closely related to bachelor’s button, purple scabiosa, and sweet sultan. These plants are in the Centaurea genus, and all grow alike, preferring similar conditions.

American basketflower is one of the few plants in the Centaurea genus native to North America. Plant it instead of its non-native relatives to provide a beneficial wildflower for North America’s native pollinators and animals. This particular native hosts hummingbirds, bumblebees, and an array of other birds and insects.

Plant this annual today and enjoy animal visitors for life! If you have an area with Full sun and well-draining soil, this plant will make the area pop with its bright flowers and deep-green foliage.

History

Various American Indian nations in the Midwest and Great Plains areas used this flower for medical ailments like venomous bites, indigestion, and eye disorders. It has a long history of growing in the United States.

Paleolithic remains show that people alive during 6000-8000 B.C. hunted bison in large numbers. They would scare the herds off cliffs and then collect the meat down below. What does this have to do with the American basketflower? On sites where this activity occurred, the native wildflower grows in large numbers.

At these hunting sites, the people camped and cooked their meat. We do not know if they planted this flower, but its presence at these sites shows that seeds may have spread with human interactions.

Native Area
This wildflower originates from Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, Arizona, and northern Mexico. It naturalizes itself across the Southeast, Midwest, and East Coast. American basketflowers love growing wherever there is sunshine, cool winters, and water.

This plant’s seeds prefer mild temperatures to germinate, and the best time for planting them varies depending on your region. They naturally germinate over the fall and winter in their native regions and grow slowly until the warmth of spring and summer arrives. Then they mature upwards and prepare to display their unique basketflowers.

Extreme cold and heat may adversely affect seed germination outside of its native range. This native is a hardy annual though, and its drought tolerance and full sun preference make it a stellar choice for gardens from Hawaii to New York.

Characteristics
American basketflowers’ foliage looks dainty in early spring. When the warmth of summer arrives, the cute green rosettes shoot up to six feet tall! The leaves extend off the main stem, and they point onlookers up to the large, erect flowers at the tops of the stem.

The plant’s namesake is its basketflowers, and they can reach widths of four inches wide! They are purple-pink on the outside and pale yellow-white on the inside. Their shape resembles cornflowers, but much bigger.

When left to flourish on their own, these annuals drop seeds that readily germinate each year. Their seediness makes them excellent additions to meadow, prairie, and grassland-type landscapes.

Uses
The flowers make excellent cut flowers in arrangements and bouquets. They work well because they grow bright and big on a long, slender stem. The flowers also hold their shape surprisingly well and make long-lasting dried flower arrangements.

In the landscape, they are choice additions for naturalizing areas that are chock full of invasive species. After removing the invasive species, plant this seed in mass quantities with other native grasses, wildflowers, and annuals. It will quickly spread and create a meadow that protects the soil, and that prepares the area for future landscaping.

This native wildflower also looks stunning planted in a mixed flower border with other plants that prefer like conditions. Experiment by planting American basketflower seeds with your other plants this fall, and watch them attract pollinators to your space as they grow and flower.
Planting
Easy to grow, the American basketflower requires little maintenance and setup to grow successfully. Start by sowing seeds at the optimal time in the fall. This mimics the plant’s natural growth period, as the seeds naturally ripen at the end of the summer and fall to the ground.

Start the sowing process by choosing an optimal growing site for your plants. This native grows its best in full sun with soil that drains well. Once you’ve located your site, scatter seeds across the loose soil. Then, cover them with a thin layer of soil and water well.

In areas with extreme frost, sow seeds in the spring after all dangers of frost have passed. Or, start seeds indoors a few weeks before your last frost date. After the seeds germinate, water them consistently until the plants grow a few leaves. Then, cut back on the watering, as they will need less water while they are adults. Transplant container-grown seedlings into the garden after all dangers of frost have passed.

Mature plants set seeds on their flowers for next year’s plants. Simply let the plants scatter their seed where they grow, and they’ll germinate on their own! Thin overcrowded seedlings as they grow, then watch as your plants repeat their reproductive cycle with flowers and seeds each year.

How to Grow
Grow this annual easily, as its planting, maintenance, and upkeep are simple to learn. To grow the American basketflower, plant seeds, water them, and let them mature into adult plants! Undoubtedly, a plant this easy to care for is an excellent addition to any garden.
Maintenance

American basketflower’s maintenance is minimal and dependent upon what you prefer to do in the garden. If you appreciate a natural, wild look, let these wildflowers grow freely without pruning them. For a more formal garden look, deadhead the flowers when they’re done and watch as your plants sprout new ones!

Placing compost on the soil each year leads to abundant flowers in the summer. Compost adds beneficial structure to the soil, and it adds low amounts of nutrients that won’t harm your flowers or their growth.