cornflower
Centaurea cyanus
RHS Plants for Pollinators
USDA zones2 to 11
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size1 to 3 feet tall12 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Erect
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Blue, pink, white
- Foliage color
- Gray/silver, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) is an annual for borders, cut flowers, pollinator gardens, and cottage gardens. It handles cool weather and a light frost. This plant likes full or part sun and average to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Butterflies, bees, and birds visit the blooms, which come in blue, pink, and white. Deer rarely make it their first choice. The gray-green leaves add soft contrast, and the plant tolerates drought.
Pairs well with Common poppy, False Queen Anne's lace, and Yarrow.
Native range
Europe, Middle East, East Aegean Is., NW. Balkan Pen., and 2 more places. See all 6
Europe, Middle East, East Aegean Is., NW. Balkan Pen., Sicilia, and Türkiye.