Wildflowers
Centaurea cyanus -
Cornflower
A hardy annual wildflower, producing bright blue, button-shaped flowers on tall, upright stems. This wildflower looks beautiful in garden borders, where it quickly fills gaps, or grown in bold rows in cutting and vegetable gardens, where it will conveniently attract pollinators to the area. Grows easily from seed.
- Plant type
- Hardy Annual
- Position
- Full Sun
- Height
- 90cm
- Spread
- 30cm
Growing calendar
Sowing & growing
Sow outdoors March-May for flowers June-Sep. Alternatively, sow under glass Aug-Oct, and overwinter for stronger plants and earlier flowers the following year. Sow in pre-watered seed compost, and cover with a light sprinkling of soil. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into individual pots. Plant 15cm apart.
Aftercare
Cornflowers do not need to be fertilised and like to be planted close together. Stems may need support in exposed sites. Deadhead regularly to encourage more flowers.
Gallery
Ref. SEC046