Emperor William Cornflower is a striking heirloom variety of Centaurea cyanus that produces vivid blooms from spring through summer on sturdy 24- to 36-inch stems. This classic cottage garden flower reaches maturity in about 70 days from seed to first bloom, rewarding patient gardeners with flowers perfectly suited to cutting and arrangements. Hardy and undemanding, it thrives in full sun with moderate water once established, making it a reliable choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance pollinator magnet with genuine historical pedigree.
8
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
36in H x 12in W
—
High
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These deeply colored blooms arrive reliably by early summer and continue flowering through August, providing weeks of cutting material from a single sowing. Deer leave them untouched, and once the plants are established, they shrug off dry spells without complaint, asking only for decent sun and soil with reasonable drainage. The compact 12-inch width means you can tuck several into narrow borders or mass them for bold impact without sprawl.
Emperor William Cornflower excels as a cut flower, with stems sturdy enough to stand proudly in vases for days. The blooms are equally at home in the garden, where they create vibrant color accents throughout the summer months and serve as essential nectar sources for bees and butterflies.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow directly outdoors in early spring, about 3 to 4 weeks before your last frost date. You can also sow in fall (October) if you garden in zones 7 through 10, allowing the seeds to overwinter and emerge earlier in spring.
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