Jubilee Gem Bachelor Buttons is a stunning cultivar of Centaurea cyanus that brings one of the truest blues in the flower garden to sunny borders and containers. These prolific bloomers reach 12 to 36 inches tall, producing deeply serrated, royal blue florets that form intricate, layered blossoms resembling faceted gemstones. From seed to first flowers takes roughly 90 days, making them a reliable choice for mid-summer color when paired in a sunny spot receiving at least six hours of direct light daily.
Full Sun
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2-11
36in H x 24in W
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Moderate
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The royal blue florets of Jubilee Gem are densely layered and delicate, creating flowers that catch light like tiny faceted jewels against feathery green foliage. Among the few true blue flowers available to home gardeners, this cultivar transforms simple sunny borders into something genuinely arresting. The prolific blooming habit means continuous color from mid-summer onward, and the compact to medium growth habit (depending on conditions and care) adapts to both garden beds and container plantings.
Jubilee Gem Bachelor Buttons are grown primarily as ornamental cut flowers and garden accents. The sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms make them excellent for fresh bouquets, where the geometric precision of the layered petals adds visual interest alongside softer, rounder flowers. In the garden, they brighten sunny borders and thrive in containers where their delicate foliage and vivid blue flowers become focal points.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Transplant hardened seedlings outdoors after the last frost date into garden beds or containers spaced 10 inches apart.
Direct sow seeds outdoors in spring after the last frost, or in fall for early spring blooms in mild climates.
Cut flowers for arrangements when the blooms are fully open but the petals still feel firm; morning harvests capture the longest vase life. Expect flowers approximately 90 days from planting, with continuous production through the growing season as long as spent blooms are regularly removed.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly by pinching or cutting them just below the flower head to encourage a longer flowering season and more prolific blooms. This practice redirects the plant's energy toward continuous flower production rather than seed set.
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“Bachelor's Button, also called Cornflower, carries a romantic history spanning centuries. The particular depth of cornflower blue has inspired poets, became the namesake of a Crayola crayon color, and appears as a floral motif on collectible tableware from Corning, cementing its place in American domestic life. The Jubilee Gem cultivar represents the continued refinement of this beloved species, selected for prolific blooms and ornamental appeal in contemporary gardens.”