Snowman Cornflower is a charming heirloom variety of Centaurea cyanus that reaches 24 to 36 inches tall and blooms prolifically from spring through summer. Named for its pristine white flowers, this classic cottage garden flower thrives in full sun with moderate water and tolerates drought once established. From seed to bloom in just 70 days, Snowman brings quick, reliable color to borders and cutting gardens while attracting pollinators and resisting deer browse.
8
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
36in H x 10in W
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Moderate
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Snowman's pure white blooms stand in elegant contrast to the typical blue cornflowers most gardeners expect, making it a refreshing addition to any flower bed. The plants are vigorous and prolific bloomers, flowering reliably from March through August in most climates. Once established, they handle dry spells with ease, asking only for full sun and basic care, which is why they've remained a gardener's favorite for generations.
Snowman Cornflower shines as a cut flower, holding its pristine white blooms on sturdy stems for weeks in the vase. The flowers also work beautifully in dried arrangements, maintaining their color and form long after harvesting. In the garden, they're grown primarily for their ornamental appeal, creating bright focal points in borders and cottage-style plantings while feeding bees and other pollinators throughout the season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Starting indoors is not recommended for Snowman Cornflower. These seeds germinate quickly and reliably when direct sown, and indoor starting often complicates the process unnecessarily.
Sow seeds directly into the garden in early spring, 3 to 4 weeks before your last frost date. In zones 7 to 10, you can also sow in October for fall germination and earlier spring blooms. Press seeds barely into the soil, covering them with just about 1/16 of an inch of earth. Seeds will sprout in 5 to 20 days depending on soil temperature and moisture.
Cut Snowman Cornflower blooms in the morning once the flowers have fully opened and the petals are crisp and white. For the longest vase life, harvest just as the blooms reach peak color but before they begin to age. Cutting flowers regularly encourages the plants to produce even more blooms throughout the season, extending your harvest window from spring through summer. For dried flowers, harvest when blooms are fully open, then hang bundles upside down in a warm, airy location until completely dry.
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“Cornflowers have a long history in European gardens, valued for centuries as both ornamental flowers and edible blooms. This heirloom variety carries forward that tradition of easy, abundant flowering that thrives with minimal fussing. Snowman represents the preservation of these classic garden types, selected and saved by gardeners who appreciate flowers that perform year after year without demanding attention.”