Perennial Butterfly Cornflower (Centaurea scabiosa) is a hardy, long-blooming native that brings structure and color to sunny gardens from June through August. Growing 36 inches tall with a compact 18-inch spread, this heirloom thrives in zones 4 and demands minimal water once established, making it a resilient choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance drama. Its nectar-rich flowers attract pollinators throughout summer while remaining entirely deer-proof, so you can count on reliable bloom year after year without fencing or fuss.
1
Full Sun
Low
4-4
36in H x 18in W
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Moderate
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This perennial cornflower blooms prolifically across three full months of summer, filling the garden with pollinator activity without requiring irrigation during dry spells. Deer leave it completely untouched, and its sturdy 36-inch stems hold their structure without staking. The heirloom genetics mean seeds can be saved year to year, letting you build a self-sustaining population that strengthens over time.
Perennial Butterfly Cornflower serves as a pollinator magnet in native plant gardens and mixed borders, drawing butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects throughout the summer months. Its dried seed heads persist into fall and winter, providing architectural interest and food for seed-eating birds.
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Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date, planting seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Keep soil at 55 to 70°F and expect seedlings to emerge in 7 to 20 days. Transplant outdoors after hardening off once night temperatures consistently stay above 50°F.
Move hardened-off seedlings into full sun beds after the last frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space plants 1 inch apart and water in gently to settle soil around roots.
Direct sow seeds in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, pressing seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch into prepared soil.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to prolong blooming throughout summer. Allow some seed heads to mature and dry on the plant in fall if you wish to collect seeds for next year or let them self-sow naturally.
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