Centaurea americana is a Texas native and is also native throughout most of North America. Basketflower gets it's name from the underneath side of the flower because it has a basket weave pattern to it. The flowers have fine petals like soft wires or filaments. Depending on seed source and variety, plants can stand from 1 to 4 feet tall and about half as wide. The plant looks similar to a thistle, but without the prickles. Flowers bloom May to June, but may reseed. Colors are soft pastels. A lovely cut flower, but bees and butterflies also really like them. Fragrant.
Grow in well drained soil; not particular as to character. Tolerates poor and dry soils. Grow in full sun. sometimes plants are available, but seed sources provide the greatest variety.