Bachelor's Button cultivar?

I think this is a variety of Bachelor's Button but I am not sure - has anyone seen it before? It's full of buds and started flowering last week here in Northern VA (zone 7a). It previously flowered in March and April of last year and was dormant all summer.

 

Centaurea, for sure, but not C. cyanus (Batchelor's Buttons). Maybe C. montana?

 

I second Lorax with Centaurea montana.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaurea_montana

http://images.google.com/images?q=c...1I7SUNA_en-GB&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

 

A very beautifull flower but invasive in my yard. Keep a close eye on this one it self seeds readily.

 

Also difficult to eradicate, as the roots go very deep.

 

Genus Common names: Knapweed, star thistle, perennial cornflower.

There are several C. spp. that are listed as invasive in the state of California - C. montana is not on that list. Weedy it may be. And hard to eradicate most likely. Genus characteristic?

 

Your photos show the typical unsatisfying gappy flowerhead (and characteristic leaves) of Centaurea montana. Makes a flopping perennial hummock, easy to grow but not in the front rank of perennials by any means.

 

Yep, that's it. Thanks for the help.

I actually find it quite attractive in my garden.. it hasn't spread yet though it has only been in place for a year.

 

Check out Stokesia, maybe you would like that. Don't know whether or not it grows well in your area.

 

Wow, thanks for the tip - I had never seen this one before but it's beautiful - may have to get some. It would definitely do well in my area.