Cornflowers are a must-have for any garden or allotment and used to be a common sight in our fields before the widespread use of herbicides. Attractive to bees and other pollinators, they’re also a fantastic cut flower with a surprisingly long vase life. They are fantastic companion plants and are even known to reduce pest damage and increase yields when planted alongside brassicas.
Seed Sowing
Cornflowers are best sown directly in the soil in September or early spring. Sow into drills 20cm apart and thin to 20cm in the row. Make sure the beds have a fine tilth and are weed free.
Transplanting
If sowing in modules, transplant outside once seedlings are established, spacing 20cm apart. Cornflowers can also be grown in containers.
Plant Care
Keep the area weed-free and watered during hot spells. You can mulch around the plants to keep in moisture and prevent weeds. Deadhead to prolong flowering. Stems may need support, especially in windy growing conditions. Cornflowers grow best in poor soil so there’s no need to add any extra fertility.
Challenges
Cornflowers are generally pest and disease-free.
Harvest
Pick the flowers often to encourage more flowers to form; they will usually flower for around 10-12 weeks. Ideally harvest the flowers in the morning when temperatures are low and plant water content is high. Plants will arrange better if left to sit in water for a few hours after cutting.
Culinary Ideas And Uses
Cornflower petals are edible and make a delightful addition to salads, desserts, ice cubes or as part of a herbal tea blend with their pop of colour and delicate feathery petals.
Seed Saving
Harvest the whole plants once the first seeds start to drop on the floor. Lay out on a sheet to dry further and thresh by hand by rubbing the seedheads between your hands. Then winnow to clean the seeds further.
Store in a cool dark place; seeds should remain viable for around 7 years.
Cornflowers will self-seed if left in place in your garden.
Most popular Cornflower
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Cornflower – Blue (Organic)
£2.10 Add to basketCornflower – Blue (Organic)
Bright shades of blue flowers attractive to bees and other pollinators, great as cut flower as well. A flower that makes every garden happy. Cornflowers produce masses of stunning blue shaded blooms and attract bees and other insects as well. They were once native to European corn fields, but have mostly disappeared from the landscape due to large scale use of herbicides. Today they are mainly fond in gardens and allotments – we grow them in amongst our vegetables.
(Approximate seed count – 200)
£2.10 -
Cornflower – Mixed (Organic)
£2.10 Add to basketCornflower – Mixed (Organic)
A stunning mix of pink, blue and white double flowered blooms, ideal for the border and for the cutting garden.
(Approximate seed count – 200)£2.10 -
Cornflower – Classic Magic (Organic)
£2.40 Add to basketCornflower – Classic Magic (Organic)
A unique variety producing stunning blooms in mauves, pinks, maroons and violets that are highlighted by delicate, feathery foliage. Classic Magic is a prolific bloomer that is easy to grow and maintain, making it a popular choice among gardeners of all skill levels. Edible petals make an attractive decoration to cakes and as garnishes. Whether you’re growing for a visual treat or a culinary one, this variety is a total show-stopper!
(Approximate seed count – 150)£2.40 -
Cornflower – Black Ball (Organic)
£2.25 Add to basketCornflower – Black Ball (Organic)
A quirky variety producing very dark maroon double blooms. The flowers are so dark they are almost black and have a very dramatic appearance. They make a great cut flower, as well as looking fantastic in the garden. As with all cornflowers, they are edible too.
(Approximate seed count – 130)£2.25
