Cupid's Dart

Cupid’s Dart is the named garden selection Catananche caerulea 'Cupid's Dart', a short-lived perennial grown for blue to violet-blue flower heads on wiry stems. Its dark-centered blooms appear from midsummer into autumn above slender foliage and papery bracts. The [Royal Horticultural Society](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/194773/catananche-caerulea-cupids-dart/details) lists the selection’s mature dimensions and flowering season; [Cambridge University Botanic Garden](https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/the-garden/plant-list/catananche-caerulea/) describes the species’ Mediterranean origin and dry, sunny habitat. ## Flowers and use The daisy-like flower heads rise on narrow stems and bring cool color to sunny borders and informal plantings. Papery seed heads can remain decorative after flowering, and stems are useful for dried arrangements. Plants may self-seed where conditions suit them, helping renew a planting of this relatively short-lived perennial. ## Growing conditions Choose a sunny site with sharply drained soil. Loam, chalky, or sandy soils are suitable; persistent winter wetness and waterlogged ground are poor fits. The RHS lists this cultivar at approximately 1.6–3.3 feet high and 4–20 inches wide, with mature size varying by site. ## Maintenance Remove spent flowering stems or cut them for arrangements, then clear old growth as the plant declines. Avoid heavy, wet soils, especially in winter. Individual longevity and self-seeding vary with local conditions.