Classic Magic Cornflower is a timeless annual flower that brings cottage garden charm and pollinator activity to any sunny garden bed. Growing to a compact 24 inches tall with a tidy 10-inch spread, this Centaurea cyanus cultivar produces vibrant blooms from spring through summer, reaching full color in just 70 days from seed. Its deer resistance and drought tolerance once established make it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking reliable color without fussy care.
8
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
24in H x 10in W
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Moderate
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The cornflower's elegant simplicity is deceptive: beneath its cottage garden appeal lies a genuinely tough plant that thrives in poor soil, shrugs off drought after establishment, and draws butterflies and bees like a magnet. Spring sowing in early March or April rewards you with blooms by May, and the steady supply of flowers continues through summer heat. Sow it densely in clusters, let it self-sow for next year, and watch it become a garden workhorse that asks almost nothing in return.
Cornflowers are grown primarily as ornamental cut flowers and fresh garden blooms. The flowers are harvested at peak color and used in fresh arrangements, dried flower work, and as decorative elements in garden displays.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow directly outdoors in early spring, 3 to 4 weeks before your last frost date. In zones 7-10, you can also sow in October for fall and winter bloom. Press seeds barely into the soil, about 1/16 inch deep, and expect sprouts within 5 to 20 days.
Cut cornflower blooms when the petals have fully unfurled and the flower head feels firm to the touch. Harvest in the morning after dew has dried for longest vase life. Removing spent flowers encourages continued blooming throughout the growing season.
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