Jubilee Gem Cornflower is a compact heirloom variety of Centaurea cyanus that brings vibrant blue blooms to spring and summer gardens in just 70 days from seed to flower. Standing a modest 18 inches tall with a 10-inch spread, this cultivar delivers the classic cornflower charm in a space-efficient package that thrives in full sun with moderate water needs. Deer leave it alone, drought doesn't faze it once established, and pollinators can't resist it, making it a low-maintenance anchor for cottage gardens, borders, and containers alike.
8
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
18in H x 10in W
—
Low
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Jubilee Gem earns its name through reliability and prolific blooming over an extended season from March through August. The plant's compact habit means you can tuck it into tight spaces where taller cornflower varieties would overwhelm, yet it produces the same beloved cut flowers that have graced gardens for centuries. Its drought tolerance and deer resistance make it genuinely carefree once it settles in, while the heirloom pedigree connects you to generations of gardeners who've saved and replanted this very flower.
Jubilee Gem cornflowers are grown primarily for their cut blooms, which hold up beautifully in arrangements and dry well for long-lasting bouquets. The flowers have a long history as a cottage garden staple and remain popular with florists and home gardeners who value their intense blue color and delicate, fringed petals.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring, 3 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost. Seeds can also be sown in fall (October) in zones 7 through 10 for earlier spring blooms. Press seeds barely into soil and keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination.
Cut cornflower blooms for arrangements when the petals have fully unfurled but the flower is still at peak freshness; they'll last longer in the vase this way. Harvest in the early morning for best results, cutting stems as long as possible and immediately placing them in cool water. Deadheading spent blooms encourages the plant to produce more flowers throughout the season.
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