Jim's Favorite Cornflower/Bachelor Buttons Flower Seeds

Centaurea Seed ( Annual )

Latin Name Pronunciation: sen-taw-ree'uh
Although cornflowers are native to Europe, where they got their common name because they often grew in corn fields. They have made themselves at home in North American and can be found naturalizing throughout most of the continent. Because of their near true blue color and profuse bloom, they are popular garden flowers as well.

The other common name is Bachelors Button. The term bachelor's button refers to the long-lasting quality of the flower when it is cut and placed in the buttonhole of a suit or shirt; decades ago, bachelors sported the flower when they went courting. The origin of the word 'bluet' is from the French word for the mountain centaurea.

Cornflowers are annuals that can be grown just about anywhere, from USDA Hardiness Zone 2 through 11, but they should be planted during the cool season and will decline as the weather heats up. Grow Centaurea in full sun or partial shade and moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Cut flower stems to the ground after first wave of blossoms to encourage rebloom (which isn't dependable in the South) and to curb tendency to self-sow.

Useful gardening information

Centaureas are very easy to grow from seed started indoors or out. The taller varieties, which are so useful in cutting gardens, may not be readily available as plants at garden centers and should be started from seed. Perennial mountain bluet simply takes a little longer to germinate than the annual kinds; started early enough, it may bloom the first year it is planted.

Sow seeds about 1/2 inch deep in any good garden soil. Centaureas prefer slightly alkaline soil, but they are really not fussy. Keep the seedbed moist until germination occurs in 7 to 10 days for annuals, 2 to 3 or 3-1/2 weeks for perennials.
Annual cornflowers perform best when they are slightly crowded. Thin the annuals to stand anywhere from 6 to 12 inches apart, depending on the species or cultivar. Space perennials 2 to 3 feet apart.

Starting Indoors
Sow seeds indoors about one month before you want to plant the seedlings outdoors.

LET496 Imperial Rose Sweet Sultan

Warm rose color. Freeflowering, mid size fluffy fringed flowers, sweet scent, for cottage garden or cutflower, grows about 30 inches tall.

LET497 Imperial Purple Sweet Sultan

Pastel purple color. Freeflowering, mid size fluffy fringed flowers, sweet scent, for cottage garden or cutflower, grows about 30 inches tall.

LET363 Blue Midget

Cornflowers are great flowers, but the standard size is a bit tall for some beds. Now there is a fantastic little cornflower growing only 12 inches tall! Lower flowering and neater in habit than any we have seen before. The plant grows just six inches high it is covered with flowers, which continue as the plant reaches its final height of about 12 inches high. Easy to grow and suitable for beds, borders and containers.

LET364 Boy Mix

This one seeds to be a favorite for cutting due to it's good stems and great flowers. Double flowered Bachelor Button for garden or cutting, now in many colors, grows about 36" tall.

LET365 Frosty Mix

Double bi-color mix, all with picotee white rim, unique color pattern for cutting, grows about 36" tall.

LET366 Black Ball

Nearly black flower, strong stem, wonderful complement in cutflower arrangements, grows about 36" tall.

3596 Florist Blue Boy ( Centaurea cyanus )

Classic cornflowers with many uses. Also known as cornflower, garden cornflower, and bachelor's buttons.
This is an easy-to-grow annual heirloom cut-flower. The double flowers have a light fragrance. They are a mysterious color that appears purple or blue at different times during the day. The plants are carefree and drought tolerant.
Upright plants produce abundant 1-1½" blooms and grows about 24 to 36 inches tall.
Prefers cool temperatures. Edible Flowers: Use the petals of this great edible flower for decorating desserts. Centaurea is also a popular choice for brightening up salad mix. Flavor is bland and mildly floral.

LET162 Dwarf Tom Pouce Pink

Every cutting garden needs to have this pink Cornflower growing in it! Readily establish Cornflowers from flower seeds, and plant in masses for a spectacular display of color. This dwarf variety only reaches 12 - 18 inches tall, and is a great height for borders and beds. Cornflowers make excellent cut flowers. The blooms last in the vase well, and they also dry nicely for everlasting arrangements. Known also as pink Bachelor's Button, these annuals are well-known and grow naturally across much of the United States.

LET709 Dwarf Tom Pouce White

No matter what your xeriscape landscape is like, a formal flower garden or smaller borders with wildflowers, these dwarf Cornflowers, with their pure white blooms, will add a charming presence. Also known as Bachelor's Buttons, the flower seed is easy to grow, and it quickly provides blooms that are excellent for cutting and drying as well.
Bachelor's Buttons are very attractive to both bees and butterflies, but deer leave the plants alone. Once the Centaurea Cyanus plants are established, they will produce a burst of flowers and then slow down their production. Grows 12-18 inches tall.