Centaurea cyanus

Centaurea cyanus (cornflower) — the intense true-blue wildflower of old cornfields, a nectar-rich, edible-petalled favourite for bees and cutting. At home in our wildflower range.

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  • Cornflower Mixed seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower Cornflower Mixed (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    Cornflower Mixed Seeds Centaurea Cyanus Annual
    €3,56€4,45

    Mixed annual cornflower colour for garden displays cornflower mixed seeds are a classic choice for adding airy, meadow-style colour to beds and borders. This annual flower mix features a lively range of shades, including white,...
  • Cornflower Blue Ball seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower Cornflower Blue Ball (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Cornflower Blue Ball Seeds Centaurea Cyanus Annual Flower
    €4,45

    Classic blue blooms for cottage gardens Cornflower Blue Ball Seeds produce a classic annual flower with richly filled, double blooms in a clear blue shade. This variety is valued for its tidy, rounded flower form...
  • Cornflower White Ball seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower Cornflower White Ball (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    Cornflower White Ball Seeds Centaurea Cyanus Annual Flower
    €3,96€4,95

    Elegant white annual blooms for borders cornflower white ball seeds produce a refined annual flower with rounded, white blooms that suit both classic and contemporary garden styles. This variety of Centaurea cyanus is valued for...
  • Cornflower Mixed seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – organic annual flower Cornflower Mixed (Centaurea cyanus) – organic annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    Cornflower Mixed Seeds Organic Centaurea Cyanus Annual
    €3,96€4,95

    Organic annual cornflower mix for colorful borders cornflower mixed seeds are an organic choice for gardeners who want a classic, airy look with plenty of color variation. This mixed color cornflower brings a natural, cottage-style...
  • Cornflower Double Flowering Mix seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower Cornflower Double Flowering Mix (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Cornflower Seeds Centaurea Cyanus Annual Double Flowering Mix
    €4,45

    Double-Flowering Cornflower Mix for Sunny Borders cornflower seeds are a classic choice for adding airy texture and lively colour to beds, borders, and a naturalistic planting style. This double flowering cornflower mix produces layered, ruffled...
  • Wild Cornflower seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – organic annual flower Wild Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) – organic annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Wild Cornflower Seeds Organic Centaurea Cyanus Annual Flower
    €4,95

    Organic wild cornflower seeds for sky blue blooms wild cornflower seeds are a classic choice for adding clear, sky-blue color to seasonal flower displays. This organic annual produces abundant, finely shaped blooms with a light,...
  • Cornflower Blue Ball seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower Cornflower Blue Ball (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Cornflower Seeds Blue Ball Centaurea Cyanus Annual
    €4,45

    Classic blue annual for borders and bouquets cornflower seeds ‘Blue Ball’ are a reliable choice for adding clear, rich blue tones to beds, borders, and naturalistic plantings. This blue cornflower variety forms neat, rounded blooms...
  • Cornflower Blue Ball seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – organic annual flower Cornflower Blue Ball (Centaurea cyanus) – organic annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Cornflower Seeds Organic Centaurea Cyanus Blue Ball Annual
    €4,95

    Organic Blue Ball cornflower for classic borders cornflower seeds bring the much-loved Blue Ball type to your garden with richly filled, double blooms in a clear blue tone. This organic selection is an annual flower...
  • Cornflower Polka Dot Mix seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower Cornflower Polka Dot Mix (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Cornflower Seeds Polka Dot Mix Centaurea Cyanus Annual
    €4,45

    Polka Dot Mix cornflower for colorful borders cornflower seeds in the Polka Dot Mix bring a classic cottage-garden look to beds and low borders, with flowers in varied shades of blue and pink. This is...
  • Cornflower Pink Ball seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower Cornflower Pink Ball (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    Cornflower Pink Ball Seeds Centaurea Cyanus Annual Flower
    €3,56€4,45

    Pink annual cornflower for borders and bouquets cornflower pink ball seeds produce a classic annual flower with rounded, pompon-like blooms in a clear pink tone. This variety is valued for its neat, upright habit and...
  • Cornflower Mix Full Sun seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower Cornflower Mix Full Sun (Centaurea cyanus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Cornflower Seeds Centaurea Cyanus Annual Flower Mix Full Sun
    €4,95

    Sky blue annual color for full sun Cornflower seeds produce a classic annual flower mix known for its airy, field-style look and clear sky-blue tones. This traditional wildflower, Centaurea cyanus, brings a light, natural character...
  • Cornflower Tape Mixed Double Flowered 7.5m seeds (Centaurea cyanus) – annual seed tape Cornflower Tape Mixed Double Flowered 7.5m (Centaurea cyanus) – annual seed tape seeds from SeedsChoice
    Cornflower Seed Tape Centaurea Cyanus Annual Mixed Double Flowered 7.5m
    €4,95

    Mixed double cornflowers on convenient seed tape cornflower seed tape offers an easy, tidy way to add classic cornflowers to borders and flower beds. This annual, mixed double-flowered selection produces richly filled blooms in soft...
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Centaurea cyanus — the cornflower

Centaurea cyanus, the cornflower, is a hardy annual famous for its intense, true-blue flowers — one of the most loved of all wildflowers and cottage-garden plants. It is at home among our wildflowers and pollinator flowers within the wider flower seed collection.

History & origin

Native to Europe, the cornflower earned its name as a familiar weed of cornfields, springing up among the wheat and rye. The same farming that gave it its name nearly undid it: modern herbicides made the wild cornflower rare across much of Europe, and it is now a symbol of meadow conservation. It carries deep meaning elsewhere too — the blue bleuet is France's flower of remembrance, and it has long been a national flower of Germany.

Its botanical name blends myth and colour: Centaurea recalls Chiron the centaur, the healer of Greek legend, while cyanus comes from the Greek for deep blue.

Botanical characteristics

An upright annual to around 80 cm, the cornflower bears its frilled, thistle-like flowers most famously in vivid blue, but also in pink, purple, white and near-black. The blooms are rich in nectar and beloved by bees and butterflies, and the petals are edible, pretty scattered over salads. Long-stemmed and long-lasting, cornflowers are excellent in our cut-flower range and a mainstay of any bee-friendly planting.

Growing Centaurea cyanus from seed

Cornflowers are tough and easy. Sow direct where they are to grow, either in autumn for the biggest, earliest plants or in spring, in full sun and ordinary soil. Deadhead or cut regularly to keep the flowers coming, and leave a few to self-seed and return. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow cornflowers? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Wildflowers · Pollinator Flowers · Bee-Friendly Flowers · Cut Flowers · All Flower Seeds

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Centaurea cyanus?
It is the cornflower, a hardy blue-flowered annual wildflower.

Where does the cornflower originate?
From Europe, where it was a classic weed of cornfields.

What does the name mean?
Centaurea recalls Chiron the centaur, a mythical healer, and cyanus means deep blue.

Are cornflowers good for wildlife?
Yes — they are nectar-rich for bees and butterflies, and the petals are edible.

How do I grow them?
Sow direct in autumn or spring in full sun, and let a few plants self-seed.