Black Ball

SKU: FL2185

Centaurea cyanus. The tall silvery stems of this cornflower provides a stunning contrast to the deep plum coloured blooms. Cornflowers are wonderfully adaptable... Read More

Exposure Full sun

Average Seeds Per Gram 230 ?

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Product Details

Centaurea cyanus. The tall silvery stems of this cornflower provides a stunning contrast to the deep plum coloured blooms. Cornflowers are wonderfully adaptable to a variety of soils, and are heat and drought tolerant. Suitable for beds, borders, as well as meadows. They attract a host of pollinators but are ignored by deer. They make excellent cut and dried flowers. The petals are also edible—try them in salads or sprinkled on desserts.

Annual.

Quick Facts:

Unique coloured flowers
Drought resistant
Deer resistent
Edible petals

All About Black Ball

Latin

Latin
Centaurea cyanus
Family: Asteraceae

Difficulty

Difficulty
Very easy

Season & Zone

Season & Zone
Exposure: Full sun

Timing

Timing
Direct sow starting just before last frost, and again every two weeks until end of spring. Centaurea can be direct sown in autumn as well. Starting indoors is not necessary, but can be accomplished by keeping seed trays in the dark at the optimal soil temperature of 15-21°C (60-70°F). Move under bright lights once germination occurs, and transplant out in late spring, after all risk of frost has passed.

Starting

Starting
Just cover the small seeds. Thin or space to 15-30cm (6-12″) apart.

Growing

Growing
We acknowledge that Centaurea cyanus sometimes appears on lists of invasive species. In our experience, for the back yard or balcony gardener, this is not an issue, and the plants are easily controlled. They are short rooted, and can be pulled up with little effort. Unlike some plants, its seeds simply drop locally if allowed to mature, and do not eject, and they do not spread by underground rhizome. We respectfully ask that gardeners who live in threatened or sensitive ecosystems take this into consideration when planting Centaurea, just like any other type of seed.

How to Grow Cornflowers

Step 1

Timing

Direct sow starting just before last frost, and again every two weeks until end of spring. Centaurea can be direct sown in autumn as well. Starting indoors is not necessary, but can be accomplished by keeping seed trays in the dark at the optimal soil temperature of 15-21°C (60-70°F). Move under bright lights once germination occurs, and transplant out in late spring, after all risk of frost has passed.

Step 2

Starting

Just cover the small seeds. Thin or space to 15-30cm (6-12″) apart.

Step 3

Growing

We acknowledge that Centaurea cyanus sometimes appears on lists of invasive species. In our experience, for the back yard or balcony gardener, this is not an issue, and the plants are easily controlled. They are short rooted, and can be pulled up with little effort. Unlike some plants, its seeds simply drop locally if allowed to mature, and do not eject, and they do not spread by underground rhizome. We respectfully ask that gardeners who live in threatened or sensitive ecosystems take this into consideration when planting Centaurea, just like any other type of seed.