Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus
Also known as
Blue-Bottle, Bachelor's Buttons, Barbeau, Blaver, Blawort, Blue Blaw, Blue Bonnets, Blue Bow, Blue Poppy, Blue Sailors, Blue Tops, Bluets, Break-Your-Spectacles, Brushes, Bunk, Corn Binks, Cornbottle, Corn Centaury, French Pink, Happy Skies, Haw Dods, Hurtsickle, Ragged Robin, Ragged Sailor, Witches' Bells, Corn-Pinks, Thimbles, Witch's-Bells, Blue bottle, Blue cornflower
Centaurea cyanus 20060624120252wp by Albert H. (CC-BY-SA-3.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Light watering
Frost Hardy
H6
RHS hardiness
-20°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
1m | Max | 50cm |
50cm | Min | 10cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
More images of Cornflower
Cornflower Overview
Centaurea cyanus is an upright, clump-forming annual with slightly lobed leaves and solitary deep blue flowers that are 3-4cm across, that appear in late spring and summer. They are found as wildflowers (traditionally in cornfields) across northern temperate regions and are a good choice for new gardeners as they are easy to grow. They make great cut flowers and the more they are picked, the more flowers will be produced! They like a sunny position and well-drained soil. As well as flower borders and beds and wildlife gardens, cornflowers can be grown as patio and container plants - and they are often seen in coastal locations. Centaurea cyanus - also known most commonly as the cornflower - is part of the Royal Horticultural Society “Plants for Pollinators” initiative that showcases plants which support pollinator populations by providing ample amounts of nectar and/or pollen. A great choice for encouraging wildlife into your garden!
How to propagate Cornflower
Seed
Sow seeds end of summer about 6 - 8 mm deep. Germination time about 7 - 14 days.
Special features of Cornflower
Attractive flowers
Attracts bees
Winter colour
Attracts birds
Leave seedheads of the last flowers for bird food.
Other uses of Cornflower
Culinary, medicinal
Medicinal
The petals can be used as a bitter tonic to aid digestion and the leaves as a rinse for scalp eczema.
Edible
Fresh flowers can be used in salads or as a garnish. An edible blue dye is obtained from the flowers, used for colouring sugar and confectionary.
Deer Resistant Plants
Although never fully deer proof - they are less likely to eat these.
Explore all