Cornflower Plant

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) is a cool-season annual with fine, gray-green foliage and showy flowerheads that are most familiar in blue, though pink and white forms also occur. It grows about 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide, and its flowers serve as a useful cut-flower and wildlife resource ([NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/centaurea-cyanus/)). ## Garden Use Sow it in a sunny border, cutting bed, meadow-style planting, or container where seedlings can be managed. Full sun keeps stems sturdier; taller plants may need support where neighboring plants cannot hold them upright. It tolerates poor soil and low water, but grows best in medium-moisture, well-drained ground. Direct sowing in mild-winter climates or starting seed indoors before the last frost suits its cool-season growth. ## Maintenance Deadhead flowers to limit self-seeding and extend the display. Leave some seedheads if you want birds to feed, or allow a few plants to reseed in a naturalized area. This species can spread freely by seed, so remove unwanted seedlings before they set more seed.