Flower Library
Cupids Dart
Catananche · Asteraceae
Cupids dart is a small poet among summer flowers: cornflower-like, lavender-blue blooms with fringed petals and a dark centre, carried on wiry stems above silvery rustling bud sheaths. It owes its German name Rasselblume, rattle flower, to these dry papery scales, which really do rustle when you move the bouquet. Fresh or dried, it is a fine, rare find for natural-style arrangements.
- Season
- June – July – August – September
- Vase life
- 7–10 days
- Latin name
- Catananche
- Colors
- Lavender blue, Violet-blue with a dark centre, White, Silvery bud sheaths
The cut form is Catananche caerulea, a Mediterranean perennial from the composite family. Besides the typical lavender blue there is the white selection Alba and bicoloured forms such as Bicolor with white petals around a violet eye. All carry the characteristic papery-dry bracts beneath the bloom.
In floral work cupids dart closes the gap between cornflower and scabiosa: it brings that rare, dusty blue into meadow bouquets, yet the silvery sheaths give it a more refined, drier expression. With lavender, grasses and scabiosa it creates a Mediterranean summer tone that lingers.
Its second career is as a dried flower: the silvery scales and seed heads last for years when dried and rustle decoratively in wreaths and dried bouquets. Harvest the stems just before full bloom and hang them upside down and you even preserve a hint of the blue.
When buying we look for wiry, upright stems and blooms just breaking out of their sheaths. Fully open blooms are more delicate in transport, while the closed silver buds reliably open on in the vase.
A tip from the workshop: the fine stems look lost on their own; they unfold their power in groups of five to ten, scattered loosely among other summer blooms. That is how the floating meadow character this flower is bought for comes about.
Is Cupids Dart toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Mildly irritating
- Cats
- Mildly irritating
- Dogs
- Mildly irritating
No toxins documented, but barely studied toxicologically. To be safe, keep out of reach of pets and small children.
Typical symptoms: If larger amounts are eaten, stomach upset cannot be ruled out.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Cut the fine stems at an angle with a sharp knife.
- 02Remove the lower foliage so nothing rots in the water.
- 03Place in fresh water with flower food and check the level regularly.
- 04Keep bright and airy, avoiding harsh midday sun.
- 05Change the water every two to three days.
- 06To dry, bundle the stems just before full bloom and hang upside down.
Frequently asked
- How long does cupids dart last in the vase?
- Around seven to ten days, with closed silver buds opening on in the vase and extending the display. Afterwards the rustling sheaths and seed heads dry beautifully.
- Is cupids dart toxic to cats or dogs?
- No toxins are documented for catananche, but the species is barely studied toxicologically. We therefore recommend keeping the bouquet out of reach of pets and small children, as with all cut material.
- Why is catananche called rattle flower in German?
- Because of the dry, silvery shining bracts beneath the blooms: move the stems and they give off a fine rustle, almost like little paper rattles. Dried, the sound becomes even clearer, a charming side effect in dried bouquets.
- When is catananche available as a cut flower?
- The season runs from June to September, but auction quantities are small, as it comes from specialist growers. If you want to plan it firmly for a date, it is best ordered from us a few days in advance.