Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Annual Biennial

Centaurea cyanus
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

cornflower

A cornflower annual to 75cm tall, with lance-shaped, slightly lobed, mid-green leaves, and solitary deep blue flowerheads 3-4cm across, with violet-blue inner florets, in late spring and summer

Other common names
barbeau
blaver
see moreblue blaw
blue bonnets
blue bow
blue sailors
blue tops
break-your-spectacles
brushes
bunk
corn binks
corn centaury
cornbottle
French pink
happy skies
haw dods
hurtsickle
ragged sailor
bachelor's buttons
blawort
blue poppy
bluebottle
bluets
ragged robin
witches' bells
penlas yr ŷd

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer Blue Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Centaurea may be annuals, perennials or subshrubs, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and showy thistle-like flowers-heads, often with enlarged outer florets

Name status

Correct

Plant range
N Termperate regions

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in-situ in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.