Wholesale Cornflower

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on cornflower

description
Cornflower is an annual flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, growing to 16-35 inches tall, with grey-green branched stems. The leaves are lanceolate, 1–4 cm long. The flowers are most commonly an intense blue color, produced in flowerheads (capitula) 1.5–3 cm diameter, with a ring of a few large, spreading ray florets surrounding a central cluster of disc florets. The blue pigment is protocyanin, which in roses is red. It flowers from June until August.

common names & nomenclature
The plant is called cornflower because it naturally occurs near field crops, namely corn. The plant is also known as Bachelor's Button and Boutonniere Flower because young men once wore the flower in the label of their jacket to draw attention to their eligibility status. Its Latin name, Cyanus, comes from mythology for a youthful devotee of the goddess Flora (Cyanus), whose favorite flower it was. The name of the genus is derived from the Centaur, Chiron, who taught humankind the healing virtue of herbs

Also known as:
basket flower, cornflower, bachelor's button, bluebottle, boutonniere flower, hurtsickle, cyani flower

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for cornflower

Cornflower is native to Europe and is naturalized in other parts of the world, including North America and Australia.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting cornflower

climate
Cornflower prefers full sun and mature plants can be drought tolerant. Will grow as a weed in and around crops, roadsides, river banks, meadows and more.

soil
Cornflower prefers a well-drained fertile soil, but tolerates dry, low fertility and alkaline soils.

growing
Sow cornflower seeds in March in the greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, transplant the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in May. The seed can also be sown directly in garden beds during April, in areas where the winters are not too cold a direct sowing during September will produce larger and earlier-flowering plants.

harvesting
Harvest the petals anytime during the blooming season. Dry them by hanging the flower stalks upside down or lay flat on screens.

preserving
Store dried cornflower petals in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.