Cornflower Centaurea cyanus Blue Boy
One of the most nostalgic of wildflowers, cornflowers immediately evoke summer meadows from days gone by and romantic cottage gardens. 'Blue Boy' is a tall variety, featuring masses of double, bright blue flowers held on slender stems. It's perfect for mini-meadow schemes grown with poppies and ox-eye daisies, running through borders alongside calendula or sown into the cutting garden. With deadheading, it will produce flowers in abundance for many weeks. Height: 1.2m (47"). Spread: 30cm (12”).
Sowing
Sow cornflower seeds outdoors where they are to grow from March to April. Choose a position in full sun on well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 3mm (1/8") in drills spaced 30cm (12") apart. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes 14-21days. When cornflower seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 15cm (6") apart.
Alternatively, grow cornflowers indoors from August to September for early summer flowering next year. Sow cornflowers on the surface of a good quality seed compost at a temperature of 18-23C (65-73F) and cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Do not exclude light as this helps germination. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to move outdoors. Overwinter cornflowers plants in cool, light, frost-free conditions before planting out the following spring, or growing on as greenhouse pot plants.
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Description
One of the most nostalgic of wildflowers, cornflowers immediately evoke summer meadows from days gone by and romantic cottage gardens. 'Blue Boy' is a tall variety, featuring masses of double, bright blue flowers held on slender stems. It's perfect for mini-meadow schemes grown with poppies and ox-eye daisies, running through borders alongside calendula or sown into the cutting garden. With deadheading, it will produce flowers in abundance for many weeks. Height: 1.2m (47"). Spread: 30cm (12”).
Sowing
Sow cornflower seeds outdoors where they are to grow from March to April. Choose a position in full sun on well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 3mm (1/8") in drills spaced 30cm (12") apart. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes 14-21days. When cornflower seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 15cm (6") apart.
Alternatively, grow cornflowers indoors from August to September for early summer flowering next year. Sow cornflowers on the surface of a good quality seed compost at a temperature of 18-23C (65-73F) and cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Do not exclude light as this helps germination. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to move outdoors. Overwinter cornflowers plants in cool, light, frost-free conditions before planting out the following spring, or growing on as greenhouse pot plants.
More Info
