Wild Cornflower Seeds - Centaurea cyanus

Centaurea cyanus, also called cornflower or bachelor's button, is an adorable annual weed which was once very widespread in our countrysides, wandering even as far as into our cereal fields and whose stunning blue flowers lend a spectacular charm to any flowerbed. Very decorative planted in large drifts, scattered here and there between other plants, these cornflowers are perfect in wildflower bouquets and bloom for months on end if care is taken to remove the flowers as they wilt. Cornflowers are perfect in wildflower meadows, sown with poppies, candytufts, borages and cosmos.

Cornflowers belong to the family Asteraceae. Centaurea cyanus is 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 tender stems, reaching 80 cm high and 25 to 30 cm wide, and bearing very narrow, long, greyish-green leaves. The flowering period lasts from June to August, displaying inflorescences in the form of single flower heads, 3 cm across. The ligulate flowers (or the petals surrounding the centre) are toothed at their tips and are deep blue, or more rarely, pink or white. The centre of the inflorescence is made up of purplish florets. The flowers are very melliferous and nectar-rich.

Cornflowers are enchanting in flowerbeds where they form remarkable patches of colour. Bachelor's button brings the charm of the countryside to our gardens. Sow cornflower in wild-looking beds, combined with ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuifolia or Muhlenbeckia capillaris, common poppies or oriental poppies, with pink or white love-in-a-mist, California poppies, purple cornflowers, Briza media with its little white plumes and many other kinds of plants. The edible flowers can be used to decorate summer salads. It is also an excellent cut flower.