by Christine Shoup

The Southern Bachelor Button plant is NOT the Yankee variety of the Bachelor Button which blooms in the Spring. Both varieties share the same blue, thistle-like flower heads. On the other hand, the Southern variety of the Centaurea plant blooms in our hottest days and can withstand our high humidity. It is a wonderful annual that reseeds and is carefree when we don’t want to be working in the heat.

Another common name for the southern variety is ‘Sweet Sultan.’ As you see, common names can get confusing; therefore, botanical names are preferably used in plant publications. The moschata variety of the Centaurea family means ’musk-scented’. The bloom in the picture does not show it’s unique, deeply ribbed and toothed leaves. It loves full sun, tolerates average to dry soil, as well as alkaline soil, and grows in blackbelt soil too. My moschata bloomed until the first heavy frost. The plants grow 2 to 3 feet tall and are attractive to bumble bee pollinators. Planted in mass, the blooms are a show stopper.

If you would like to see the Bachelor Button in living color, then please drop by the Flower Show at the upcoming Alabama National Fair commencing September 28^th. Last year I received the top award in the annual section. Winning a ribbon is not that exciting. What is special is seeing your plant, that you groomed and watered all season, being placed at the awards table as you bubble over with pride.

Anyone can enter a plant specimen and I encourage you to look at the entry on-line forms at www.alnationalfair.org or www.gardenclubofalabama/districtVI.

There are numerous categories like perennials, vines, herbs and shrubs. Entry personnel will be available to assist your classification. One very important requirement is that the label identifies its botanical nomenclature. This is so there is no confusion as noted above with the Bachelor Button. There is also a Flower Show Photography Division to share photos of your flowers and gardens. These should also include the botanical name. The Youth Division with a Section for Horticulture and a Section for Photography is available to those ages 10-18.

Christine Shoup, a Master Gardener of Class 1999, lives in Montgomery. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@gmail.com.