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Centaurea cyanus (Bachelor's buttons, Bluebottle, Cornflower)

Centaurea cyanus Photo/Illustration: Rick Mark


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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Centaurea cyanus sen-TOR-ee-ah sy-AN-us Common Name: Bachelor's buttons, Bluebottle, Cornflower Genus: Centaurea
Bachelor's buttons bear charming and prolific flowers in hues of blue, pink, lavender, white, and maroon. Those with a true blue color are especially welcome in the garden as that color is rare in nature. Each disc-shaped flower is about 1.5 inches across, with ragged petals radiating out from the center.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Bachelor's buttons flower from late June through August if deadheaded. They are excellent for cutting and drying.
 Care: Taller varieties tend to flop once they reach 2.5 to 3 feet, so they may require staking. The plants will flower abundantly in well-drained, ordinary garden soil. Although they tolerate dry conditions, they need plenty of water in hot, dry weather to ensure continued blooming. Bachelor's buttons can be grown in containers for winter flowering.
 Propagation: Easy from seed, which can be scattered in the garden in early spring. Self-sower.
 Problems: White mold, rust, downy and powdery mildew, thread blight, and Southern blight can occur.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 6 in. to 12 in.
Growth Pace Fast Grower;Invasive/Aggressive Grower
Light Full Sun Only
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Self Seeds; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Early Summer; Late Spring; Spring; Summer
Flower Color Blue Flower; Pink Flower; White Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Container, Cut Flower, Dried Flower, Naturalizing, Suitable as Annual
Style Cottage Garden, Meadow Garden, Rock Garden
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest
Type Annuals

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