The Centaurea cyanus, also called Bachelor’s button, is a lovely wildflower that originated from Europe but has spread throughout the United States. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, it is related to other beautiful flowers such as asters, chicory, daisies, mums, sunflowers, and yarrow. It usually thrives among grains in farmers’ fields, showing off its hardy nature. This flower, also known as cornflower, has captured the hearts of rural communities for generations with its delicate and charming blossoms.
To assist you in finding relevant products, we provide links to vendors. If you decide to make a purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission. However, before planting, make sure to check with your state’s extension service to confirm if the cultivation of C. cyanus is allowed in your area. As of now, this plant is listed as prohibited in North Carolina and classified as invasive in Tennessee, Georgia, and Maryland. It is gradually making its way into the prairie lands in the northwestern United States. This article offers tips on how to cultivate bachelor’s button in your garden, but it should only be grown in areas where it’s not invasive or native (Europe). The article covers cultivation and history, propagation, growing, pruning and maintenance, cultivars to choose from, pest and disease management, best garden uses, harvesting, and a quick reference growing guide. Let’s determine if this dynamic plant is suitable for your outdoor living space.
C. cyanus belongs to the Centaurea cornflower variety and is commonly referred to as cornflower. Its flowers are primarily blue, but they’re also available in shades of pink, purple, red, white, and bicolor combinations.
This resilient and adaptable annual plant thrives in a broad range of USDA Hardiness Zones, spanning from 2 to 11. It possesses the unique ability to self-seed on fertile soil, giving the impression of being a perennial that returns year after year, radiating its breathtaking beauty. Its height typically ranges from one to three feet, while blooming can occur anytime between late spring and early summer, lasting until the first frost. The plant’s sturdy grayish-green stems and leaves provide a solid foundation for its delicate, multi-petaled disks that measure approximately one inch in diameter. This robust plant is not only visually stunning but also relatively effortless to cultivate, making it an ideal choice for gardening with children. In my local region, I stumbled across a sunny meadow adorned with an abundance of charming cornflowers.
Every now and then, the landowner mows the land, and I always find it fascinating how the flowers still manage to bloom despite their stunted growth and lack of support. It’s highly probable that C. cyanus was initially grown for ornamental purposes before its prolific self-seeding caused it to spread uncontrollably into the wild and capture worldwide admiration.
Throughout history, the cornflower has represented strength, perseverance, optimism, and love. Countries such as Estonia and Germany have even adopted it as their national flower, while France uses it to commemorate military victories and honor veterans. The ALS/MND Association has also designated this bold blue flower as their symbol of hope, and the Corning Glass Company features its image on their popular Corningware cookware.
It’s no wonder that many lovelorn young men have worn a cornflower boutonniere, hoping that it wouldn’t wilt and reveal their unrequited affections.
Growing this plant is relatively easy – simply plant the seeds directly in the garden during the cool season, as they do not transplant well. However, if you live in a warmer region without freezing temperatures, you can sow the seeds in the fall. Make sure to choose a sunny spot, and follow these seed planting tips for optimal growth.
Soil pH levels can vary, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, typically ranging between 6.6 and 7.5. The quality of the soil can be sandy, loamy, or clay-like as long as it drains well. If the drainage is poor, fungal infection may occur. To determine the specific properties of the soil in your garden, consider conducting a soil test. If needed, you may add compost or builder’s sand to the soil to improve drainage. However, be careful, as compost may increase the acidity. To sweeten the soil, use lime. Work the soil to a crumbly consistency at a depth of six to ten inches before planting seeds a quarter-inch deep and several inches apart. Cover the seeds with soil to provide the darkness necessary for germination. Water gently but thoroughly, maintaining even moisture throughout germination. Once seedlings have several sets of true leaves, thin them to accommodate their mature widths of one to two feet. Fertilizer is optional, but if desired, apply a well-balanced, slow-release product in early spring. Established plants require little to no supplemental water and tolerate drought well. For growing tips, sow seeds directly into the garden or container to avoid transplanting. Maintain even moisture during germination and plant in soil that drains well to inhibit fungal infection. For pruning and maintenance, this plant is low-maintenance and self-sufficient once established, requiring only watering during an especially dry spell. If flowers are falling over, consult a guide for fixes.
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To ensure proper air circulation, prevent fungal growth, and ward off insects, it is essential to weed your garden regularly. Adding a layer of mulch can be helpful in retaining moisture and controlling weed growth. If the spread of plants becomes an issue, you can deadhead spent flowers after they have bloomed to limit self-seeding. Alternatively, mowing down the entire garden before the flowers set seed is another option, but be sure to remove the cuttings before they dry out. To propagate cornflowers, save the seeds according to the instructions provided below and use them for planting in the next season or gift them to friends. Taller varieties may require staking to keep them from looking weedy. To rejuvenate leggy plants and reduce their height, you can prune them by one-third mid-season. However, if you plan on using the stems for bouquets, let them grow tall and stake them as needed.
When choosing cultivars, the blue bachelor’s button is a striking choice for any garden. Blue Boy, with its bright blue flowers measuring between one to one and a half inches across, is an excellent option to consider.
‘Blue Boy’ is a plant that can grow up to 30-36 inches in height. If you’re interested in obtaining its seeds, you can find 150 of them available at Burpee. Another mixed variety of plants you can consider is the Cornflower Mix. It offers a wide range of shades, including blue, pink, purple, and white. The flowers of this mix measure around one inch across.
The Cornflower Mix is a beautiful plant that can grow up to 2 feet tall. You can purchase seeds in different packet sizes from True Leaf Market. On the other hand, the Dwarf Blue variety has stunning bright blue flowers that are approximately 1 to 1.25 inches in diameter.
Looking for a compact plant for your garden? Consider the ‘Dwarf Blue’! When it reaches maturity, it typically grows to be between 18 and 24 inches in height. You can find seeds for this plant in a variety of packet sizes from Eden Brothers. One of the best things about this plant is that it’s not easily bothered by pests or disease. While aphids, leafhoppers, and mealybugs may sometimes try to suck its sap, it’s generally not a major problem.
Although the plant called C. cyanus can attract beneficial insects that feed on pests like lacewings, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps, it is unlikely to cause any significant problems. Nonetheless, excessive moisture in the soil may invite fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, root rot, rust, stem rot, and wilting. Fortunately, there are fungicidal treatments available for these conditions. By maintaining well-draining soil, avoiding overwatering, and weeding around plants, fungal issues are less likely to occur. If you decide to cultivate this blue wildflower in your garden, it is recommended that you start small since people’s preferences for it may vary.
One way to experience the full potential of C. cyanus is to plant it in a container that measures at least 24 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep. To prevent self-sowing, it’s best to keep the pot away from fertile ground and remove spent blooms before they produce seeds. Alternatively, you can create a designated planting area and regularly deadhead throughout the growing season for a more controlled garden. For those who have ample space and want a more natural look, consider placing the plants in cutting gardens, drifts, meadows, or mixed beds and borders.
C. cyanus is a plant that requires minimal watering once it has established, making it ideal for xeriscaping. If you’re looking for companion plants with similar needs, consider adding bee balm, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, daisy, garden phlox, snapdragon, or summer snapdragon (Angelonia) to your garden. This flower is perfect for attracting nectar-loving creatures such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and moths, as well as seed-seeking birds. Harvesting C. cyanus is easy, and you can use it for various purposes like fresh floral arrangements, everlasting floral arrangements, seed saving, and culinary use. When harvesting for fresh floral arrangements, pick stems ranging from bud to half-open stages for maximum vase life.
By changing the water and trimming the stems daily, fresh cut flowers can last up to two weeks. If you want to learn how to make your own flower food, check out our helpful guide. Consider gathering fresh stems to create everlasting floral arrangements. Simply select flowers that are about three-quarters open, cut the stems to your desired length, and bundle them together with twine. Hang the bouquet upside down in a dry, well-ventilated spot until the flowers and foliage feel dry to the touch. You can use entire stems for decoration or remove the petals and store them in airtight jars for up to a year. You can even gather spent stems for seed saving. Cut the brown and brittle stems and hang them upside down over a clean cloth or paper bag to dry. When the flowers are crisp to the touch, rub the base of each one between your fingers to release the seeds and store them in airtight jars for the next growing season. Bachelor’s button seed saving is an excellent resource for more information. These harvested flowers are also edible and can add a sweet and spicy flavor to your culinary creations. With their unique taste that falls somewhere between cloves and black pepper, with field green undertones, C. cyanus flowers are a great addition to any dish.
Make sure to clean any flowers before eating them. Adding a few fresh flower heads to your meals can instantly elevate the presentation from average to sophisticated. Cut off the flower heads right before you need them, and those that haven’t fully bloomed yet will work best. For cold dishes, you can also use individual petals. Additionally, consider using fresh-dried petals for brewing tea or creating potpourri and sachet blends.