Select Ultraviolet Cornflower brings an unexpected jewel tone to the cutting garden, with blooms that shift between deep violet and rich blue depending on the light. This cultivar of the classic Centaurea cyanus reaches 24 to 36 inches tall and flowers reliably from spring through summer, hitting full bloom around 70 days from seed. Hardy across zones 2 through 11, it tolerates drought once established and shrugs off deer, making it a genuinely low-maintenance addition to any garden scheme.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
36in H x 10in W
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Moderate
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The ultraviolet blooms command attention in any arrangement, their unusual depth of color setting them apart from traditional cornflower blues. Sow these in early spring and you'll have cut flowers by mid-summer without fussing over watering or pest management. Deer leave them alone, they handle poor soil gracefully, and they bloom for months, rewarding you generously for minimal effort.
Select Ultraviolet Cornflower excels as a cut flower, with stems sturdy enough to hold up in the vase and blooms with staying power. The violet-toned petals are equally striking in fresh arrangements or dried for long-term display. Gardeners also grow them to attract pollinators and add season-long color to cottage gardens and wildflower beds.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring, 3 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost. You can also sow in fall (October) if you're in zones 7 through 10. Barely cover seeds with soil, about 1/16 inch deep, and keep the bed evenly moist until sprouting, which typically takes 5 to 20 days at soil temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
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