The
Cornflower is a lovely annual and quite suited to our climate because it is so hardy and forgiving. It's official name is
Centaura Cyanus but it's common name in folklore was
bachelors button. Worn by young hopeful lovers, if it faded over the course of the day, the object of their affection would not return their love
. It was first found as a wildflower in Europe. It has come a long way from then, as little more than a weed with pretty flowers, to the cultivar of lovely colours you can find today. Most people are familiar with the blue, but you can also get pinks, whites and even a burgundy variation, all displaying a similar, distinct shape and foliage. The puff ball/star like bloom, with silvery green, bushy foliage.
The story goes that it received it's latin name,
Cyanus, from a devotee of the goddess Flora ( Cyanus ) and the name of the genus is derived from Chiron, the Centaur. This plant was used in the past, and also in modern medicine, for it's healing properties.
'it is a remedy against the poison of the scorpion and resisteth all venoms and poisons. The seeds or leaves (or the distilled water of the herb) taken in wine is very good against the plague and all infectious diseases, and is very good in pestilential fevers: the juice put into fresh or green wounds doth quickly solder up the lips of them together, and is very effectual to heal ulcers and sores in the mouth.'
It is a great addition to the cottage garden, with it's drifts of bright flowers that stand tall on long stems.
Some variants include The Mountain Cornflower, Pink Ball, Tall Blue, Double Black Ball, Mauve Ball, Dwarf Blue, Snowman, White Ball, Red Boy and Blue Boy.
The bees and butterflies love them, and they can be put in that hot, full sun, spot. They can even handle a bit of shade too. It is used to being neglected, (remember, it was once a weed! ) but watering it during the hot summer months will help it continue flowering, from November throughout the summer months.
Cornflowers are one of those super easy plants to grow. Simply scatter the seeds in prepared soil ( they like it turned over and loose ) keep them moist and watch them grow. You may like to remove some seedlings that are too close together as it can get a tad crowded! They don't mind poor soil conditions, just give them a chance to dig their roots in, and watch them flourish all summer! Just remember to cut back the spent flowers, keeping it trimmed if you want to continue enjoying their colourful blooms. Let your children pick them, there is nothing like a bunch of Cornflowers to brighten up your home!
I've a secret I have not told it,
of a brow with a sunny curl,
but this shall now unfold it
I love thee gentle girl.
- Anonymous poem found with a pressed cornflower.
Feel free to add anything else I may have missed in the comments below!
The Cornflower is a lovely annual and quite suited to our climate because it is so hardy and forgiving. It's official name is Centaura Cyanus but it's common name in folklore was bachelors button. Worn by young hopeful lovers, if it faded over the course of the day, the object of their affection would not return their love. It was first found as a wildflower in Europe. It has come a long way from then, as little more than a weed with pretty flowers, to the cultivar of lovely colours you can find today. Most people are familiar with the blue, but you can also get pinks, whites and even a burgundy variation, all displaying a similar, distinct shape and foliage. The puff ball/star like bloom, with silvery green, bushy foliage.
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