The plant is native to Europe and is now found through out the world. The plant has been nicknamed “cornflower” and is first plant that children grow on their own. The name come comes from the fact that the plant grows wild in the grain fields of southern Europe. When Napoleon forced Queen Louise of Prussia from Berlin, she hid her children in a cornfield and kept them entertained and quiet by weaving wreaths of cornflowers. One of her children, Wilheim, later became the emperor of Germany. Remembering his mother's bravery, he made the cornflower a national emblem of unity

 

The upper half of the plant is multi-stemmed, producing many flowers. Leaves are covered with small white hairs causing the plant to have a blue-gray appearance. It grows up to 1-3 feet and yields many flowers through out the summer. Cornflower is most noted for its true blue flowers.

 

Bachelors Button is an outstanding performer whether your preference is for cutting or admiring. The ideal blooming period for the plant is March-May. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Bachelor buttons are annuals, which mean they complete their entire life cycle in a single year, and then die.

 

The plant prefers full sun in various soil types for best results. These flowers usually self-sow and come back from year to year. They have average water needs. Water them regularly and do not over water. This plant is easily grown and multiplies simply by plucking the dry heads of the flowers off the plant and crumbling them on the ground beneath it (or wherever you want them to grow.) They are excellent for dry lasting flower arrangements and hold their colors well under those circumstances.

On the downside, in order to maintain a nice looking plant they require deadheading on a regular basis, and as they age and get larger they will sometimes begin to look dry near the lower 6 inches or so of the plant. Bachelor's button does not like to be transplanted, so it is important to sow seeds in the place where you want your plants to grow

 

 

 Did you know?

 

·        The plant has an average growth of 96,000 seeds per pound.

·        Cornflowers retain their bright colors when dried making them excellent candidates for dried flower arrangements.