Cornflower Dwarf Jubilee Gem Seeds - Centaurea cyanus

Centaurea cyanus Jubilee Gem, also called Cornflower Dwarf Jubilee Gem, produces semi-dwarf plants with a compact habit that cover themselves with deep ultramarine blue double flowers that are borne on sturdy stems. Very decorative in borders and window boxes, this cornflower will bloom for months on end if special care is taken to remove faded flowers. Their flowers are perfect in wildflower bouquets This easy-to-sow and easy-to-grow annual likes full sun and will adapt to any in moist, well-drained soil, even a poor one.

Centaurea cyanus 'Jubilee Gem' belongs to the family Asteraceae. This modestly-sized cultivar is 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 of our regions. It forms an upright clump with branched stems, reaching 35 cm high and 30 cm wide, bearing very narrow, long, greyish-green leaves. The flowering period lasts from June to August, displaying inflorescences in the form of double flower heads, resembling little pompons reaching 3 cm across. The ligulate flowers (or the petals surrounding the centre) are toothed at their tips and are of a magnificent, luminous and almost electric shade of ultramarine blue. The centre of the inflorescence is made up of dark purple florets. The flowers are very melliferous and nectar-rich.

Cornflowers are enchanting in flowerbeds where they form remarkable patches of colour. The cultivar 'Jubilee Gem', a delightful descendant of the most famous of them all, bring the charm of the countryside to our gardens. Sow cornflower in window-boxes, borders and in the front of wild-looking beds, combined with ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuifolia or Muhlenbeckia capillaris, catnips, with 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.