Sweet Sultan – Amberboa moschata (Centaurea moschata)

Common Name: Sweet Sultan

Botanical Name: Amberboa moschata (Centaurea moschata), am-ber-BO-a mos-KA-ta

Flower Color: Blue, Pink, White

Availability: Spring, Summer

Harvest when flowers are just beginning to open.

• Member of the Compositae (aster family).
• Native to Southwest Asia.
• Common family relatives include sunflower, aster, zinnia, ageratum, chrysanthemum and lettuce.

• Stems to nearly 30 inches, leaves basal, lobed.
• Flowers fragrant.

• This species is possibly better known as Centaurea moschata, well known and loved in cottage gardens for its sweet fragrant flowers.
• Flowers are suitable for drying in borax which reportedly preserves the flower color better than air drying.
• Colors range from pure white (‘The Bride’) to the mixed colors ranging from white through yellows and pinks (‘Imperialis’).