Blue Cornflower Seeds (Centaurea Cyanus)

An Overview of Blue Cornflower

The Blue Cornflower, or Bachelor's Button, is a flowering plant with bright blue flowers native to Europe and Western Asia. It is a popular ornamental plant often grown in gardens for its attractive appearance and ease of cultivation. 

More to love in Blue Cornflower:

• The Blue Cornflower is an annual plant that grows up to 90 cm (35 inches) tall.
• It has narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are grayish-green in colour and a slender, branching stem. 
• The flowers are bright blue with a distinctive cone-shaped centre surrounded by spiky petals. 
• The plant blooms from mid-summer to early fall, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden. 

Benefits of Blue Cornflower

Blue Cornflowers are easy to grow and are tolerant of a wide range of soil types and growing conditions. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in the spring or fall. Once established, the plants require minimal care, but deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms. In addition to its ornamental value, the Blue Cornflower has some medicinal properties.

How to Sow Seeds and Care for Blue Cornflower

The seeds are small and dark-colored. No special preparation is needed for Blue Cornflower seeds. Just sow them directly in the garden in the spring or fall. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Scatter the seeds thinly over the soil surface and lightly rake them in. Water the seeds gently but thoroughly to settle them into the soil. Blue Cornflowers germinate quickly, usually within 7-14 days. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Blue Cornflowers do not transplant well, so sowing them directly in the garden is best.

Blue Cornflowers require regular watering during dry spells to keep the soil moist. Cornflowers do not require fertilization, but a light application of a balanced fertilizer in the spring can help promote healthy growth. Removing spent flowers regularly can prolong the blooming period and encourage more flowers to develop. Blue Cornflowers generally resist pests and diseases. However, watch for aphids, slugs, and snails, and treat them promptly if necessary.

Note: This Overview is intended as a guide only since cultural practices and climatic conditions may vary.

Specifications:

• Scientific Name: Centaurea cyanus
• Season: Spring to fall
• Feature: Bright blue flowers with spiky petals 
• Soil Type: Well-drained, fertile soil
• More: Easy to grow
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Order: Asterales
• Family: Asteraceae
• Subfamily: Cichorioideae
• Genus: Centaurea