Centaurea cyanus Classic Romantic - seeds

Centaurea cyanus Classic Romantic, also called cornflower or bachelor's button, is a mixture of pink and white, and sometimes bicoloured, single or semi-double flowers. Just like the adorable annual weed which once so widespread in our countryside and cornfields, they paint a simple but unforgettable picture. These cornflowers are very decorative in large drifts, perfect in wildflower compositions and bloom for months on end if flowers are removed as they fade. They like full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.

Cornflowers of the 'Classic Romantic' mix belong to the family Asteraceae. It is a selection of cultivars derived from Centaurea cyanus, an annual herbaceous plant native to Europe and North Asia that has long been considered an invasive weed in cereal crops and is one of the most beautiful wildflowers. It forms an upright clump of tender stems, reaching 65 cm high and 30 cm wide with very narrow, long, greyish-green leaves. The flowering period lasts from June to August with semi-double or single flower heads, 3 cm across. The ligulate flowers (or the petals surrounding the centre) are toothed at their tips and come in a blend of colours ranging from pure white to carmine red, including Indian pink and hot pink. Some flowers are bicoloured, displaying shades of white and pink. The centre of the inflorescence is made up of dark purple florets. The flowers are very nectar-rich.

Cornflowers are enchanting in flowerbeds where they form remarkable patches of colour. The 'Classic Romantic' mix, delightful descendants of the most famous of them all, brings the charm of the countryside to our gardens. Sow cornflowers in natural-looking beds, combined with ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuifolia or Muhlenbeckia capillaris, catnips, pink love-in-a-mist, California poppies and purple cornflowers. The edible flowers can be used to decorate summer salads. It is also an excellent cut flower.