Cupid's Dart
Symbolism: Enduring love, devotion, and quiet fidelity. Often associated with romantic constancy rather than grand declarations — love that lasts.
Description: Catananche caerulea features airy, papery blooms in soft periwinkle-blue to lavender hues, each held aloft on slender, wiry stems. The flowers have a delicate, almost pressed-flower quality, with silvery bracts that add texture and lightness. Fresh or dried, it brings an ethereal, meadow-grown feel to arrangements.
Named after: Commonly known as Cupid’s Dart, a nod to its romantic symbolism and arrow-like stems — a poetic reference to love’s quiet but piercing power.
Latin/Scientific name: Catananche caerulea
Native to: The Mediterranean region, particularly southern Europe and parts of North Africa.
Flowering period: Late spring through summer, with a long blooming window in warm, dry conditions.
Vase life: Approximately 7–10 days fresh when properly conditioned. Excellent longevity when dried.
Popular use in floral arrangements or bouquets: Frequently used as a textural filler in garden-style, meadow, and wildflower-inspired arrangements. Especially popular in romantic (Valentine's day bouquets), natural, and dried floral designs where its airy structure and soft colour add movement and lightness.
Care tips: Re-cut stems on an angle and place in clean water. Remove any foliage below the waterline. Prefers cool conditions once cut and benefits from frequent water changes. Can also be hung upside down to dry for long-lasting use.
Pet Toxicity: Not known to be toxic to cats or dogs, though ingestion is not recommended.
When in stock in our shops: Not often. Summer season.
