Genus Centaurea , usually known as cornflower or unmarried man ’s button , is native to Europe . In the past times , it often grew as a locoweed in cornfields with double 1 1/2 - inch efflorescence that resemble miniature carnation hence its name . The Centaurea cyanus flora is easy to grow by seed and take a crap a long - lasting cut flower , even retaining the blue people of colour when dried .
Cornflowers are sometimes referred to by their cognomen , “ bachelor ’s button ” due to an erstwhile recitation when man wore a Centaurea cyanus in a buttonhole of their courting , indicating they are in love or they were ready for courting .
Cornflower is a member of the Asteracea or Compositae family , which is a large and far-flung grouping of plants that includes sunflower , daisies , and aster . The genus is Centaurea , which includes both annual and perennial variety . Cornflowers promptly farm from seed and will flourish when sow in indoors in pot 4 weeks before a frost - free date , then transplant , or alfresco straight in the garden .
holler ‘ Bluet ’ in England and ‘ Texas bluebonnet ’ in Scotland , in North America Cornflowers are sometimes call Ragged Robin , or Ragged Sailor because of the shaggy petals . They are one of the few true sorry flowers that are also comestible , imparting a scented cucumber like sense of taste . In the garden , they are visually stunning institute with bright colour Nasturtiums , Marigold and California Poppies . In a vase , they fuse well with Snapdragons , Sweet William and dearest - in - a - Mist ( or Nigella ) .
Cornflowers are often used as a boutonniere in marriage ceremony , and because of their popularity , have been bred to produce plants for a wider range of peak colors , including white , pink , ruby - purple , deep Burgundy wine ( sometimes call in black ) and the crisp blueness which is the only true innate colour .
Cornflowers flourish in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant life hardiness zones 2 through 11 . They favour to originate in an open , cheery locating and can tolerate miserable stain , yet favour robust loamy garden grime that has been enrich with phosphorus , which gives an extra boost to fruit and flowering plants . moil a trivial fertiliser into the soil at the start of the grow season , and again mid - summer .
Major Types
Standard Annual Cornflower
Annual strawflower ( Centuarea cyanus ) , also called bachelor ’s buttons or blue bottleful , are spring through summer fuckup . In gain to the traditional blue bluebottle plant colouring material , you may find them in purple , pink , lavender and white shades , suppose ok Gardening . The blossom are 1 1/2 inches across with ragged petals .
Standard annual varieties grow 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall and spread 6 to 12 column inch wide-eyed . They may topple over in the wind as they make their full meridian , ask you to stake them . Plant annual cornflowers in cutting garden and bungalow garden or add them to meadow gardens for a wildflower looking . Although debate an annual , these cornflowers lean to ego - seed from year to twelvemonth .
Dwarf Annual Cornflower
small varieties of annual cornflowers are suitable for planting in flowerbeds and containers . ‘ Dwarf Blue Midget ’ ( Centaurea cyanus ‘ Dwarf Blue Midget ’ ) sports flowers of reliable blue colouring . It grows only 6 to 12 inches tall , bloom from June through September . ‘ Florence Mix ’ ( Centaurea cyanus ‘ Florence ’ ) , another compendious Uvularia grandiflora , tops out at 6 to 12 inches tall . In addition to gentle flush , ‘ Florence Mix ’ hold shades of near blank , arrant blank and pink . It blooms from June through August .
The Perennial Cornflower
Perennial bluebottle ( Centaurea montana ) is a showy , 2 - foot wide and marvelous plant that flower from May to June . According to the Missouri Botanical Garden , it displays single 2 - inch fringed violet puritanical flower with purple to reddish centers . Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8 , perennial cornflower is also called batch bluet . Spreading by hole-and-corner offset , perennial cornflower rapidly work colonies . Its bright blue blossom make it a good summation to the cutting or cottage garden .
Centaurea cyanus typically call up visions of sky blue flowers waving in a summer zephyr . Although both yearly cornflower ( Centaurea cyanus ) and repeated cornflower ( Centaurea montana ) typically sport shining blue blooms , they also appear in an regalia of pink , lavender , violet , purple or blank . Cornflowers range in height from tall 3 - foot varieties to dwarf cultivar only 6 inches high .
Types of Cornflowers
‘ Blue Boy ’
This classic change boasts a vibrant , true blue coloring that perfectly captures the traditional image of a cornflower .
‘ Dwarf Blue Ball ’
A heavyset motley apotheosis for borders or containers .
‘ Red son ’
A sensational kind with vivacious scarlet flowers , bring a splash of color to any garden .
‘ twofold Click ’
Features large , double blooms in a compass of colouration , including blue , pinkish , and white .
‘ aristocratical crown ’
Showy bloom with large , deep blue petals and a slenderly darker centre of attention .
‘ Jubilee Gem ’
feature large , mystifying blue two-fold flowers with frosted white bound .
‘ White Dwarf ’
A compact variety with pure white flowers , add together a sense of touch of elegance .
‘ pinkish Sensation ’
Delicate pink salad days , sodding for a romantic garden setting .
‘ Black Ball ’
A unique variety with deep maroon or almost ignominious flowers .
‘ Hellenic Mix ’
A colourful mix featuring a motley of color , including downcast , pink , red , and bloodless .
‘ Double Click Rose ’
feature of speech large , double heyday in a beautiful shade of rosiness pink .
‘ Blue Ball ’
A classic puritanical variety with semi - double blooms .
‘ Amethyst ’
Features soft , lavender - downhearted flowers with a delicate appearance .
‘ Dwarf Blue ’
A compendious motley with vibrant gentle bloom , idealistic for smaller garden .
‘ Frosted Pearls ’
unequaled blooms with a mix of colors and textures , resembling frosted pearl .
