Blue Boy

SKU: FL2187
Centaurea are also known as Bachelor's Buttons. These familiar, charming, brightly-coloured pompoms on fuzzy grey stems, are well loved by humans and attractive to beneficial hover-flies. Read More

Exposure Full-sun

Blue Boy has a rating of 4.8 stars based on 5 reviews.
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Attracts Pollinators Cut Flowers
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West Coast Seeds ships anywhere in North America. However, we are not able to ship garlic, potatoes, asparagus crowns, bulbs, onion sets, Mason bee cocoons, or nematodes outside of Canada. We regret, we cannot accept returns or damages for orders outside of Canada. The minimum shipping charge to the US is $9.99.

Blue Boy

Product Details

Centaurea cyanus. Centaurea are also known as Bachelor's Buttons. These familiar, charming, brightly-coloured pompoms on fuzzy grey stems, are well loved by humans and attractive to beneficial hover-flies. Blue Boy is at home in borders, with herbs, or in the kitchen garden. Direct sow Blue Boy cornflower seeds at repeated intervals in April to June to extend bloom. Centaurea can also be planted in October on the Coast. Blue Boy has the traditional vivid blue blossoms, tall growing for masses of cut flowers. Centaurea flowers also dry particularly well. Tear fresh flower petals for use in salads, teas, or fancy drinks. Plant height 90cm (36"). It is drought tolerant once established, so good for xeriscaping.

Annual.

Quick Facts:

    • Annual
    • Edible flowers
    • Tall growing for cut flowers.
    • Bright blue on fuzzy grey stems
    • Plant height 90cm (36")

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Blue Boy

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All About Blue Boy

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.

Customer Reviews & Questions