Cornflower was once a common farmland weed, but careful selection and breeding has turned it into a colourful annual for flower bed or cutting. Wiry stems bear sprays of flowers in pink, red, purple, white or the original blue. The grayish green leaves make a pleasant change from the standard green leaves make a pleasant change from the standard green foliage of most annuals. Stake tall varieties and dead-head regularly.
VARIETIES: The Tall group of C. cyanus reaches 2 ½ – 3 ft. ‘Blue Diadem’ is a good choice with its large, deep blue flowers and so are ‘Blue Ball’ and ‘Red Ball’. The Dwarf group grows only about 1 ft high – the best one to pick here is ‘Polka Dot’ but the old favourite is the blue ‘Jubilee Gem’. C. moschata ‘Sweet Sultan’ produces powder-puff-like flowers in a wide variety of colours, including yellow.
SITE & SOIL: Any well-drained garden soil will do – thrives in sun or partial shade.
PLANT DETAILS: Height 1 or 2 ½ ft. Spacing 9 in. or 1 ft. Flowering period June – September.
PROPAGATION: Sow seeds in September or April where they are to flower. Thin to required spacing.
