We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Reptiles

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Cornflower?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 8,319
Share

Cornflowers are annual plants which are famous for the intensely rich blue color of their blossoms. These plants are native to Eurasia, but they are widely cultivated in the Northern Hemisphere, and a number of specialty cultivars have been produced, with flowers in colors like white, pink, and purple in addition to the famous blue. Cornflower blue is so distinctive that it appears as a color in sets of crayons and paints, and people's eyes are sometimes compared to cornflowers.

The most well known cornflower species is probably Centaurea cyanus, although several others are sold as garden plants. Cornflowers produce spear-like leaves and disc-shaped heads of blossoms which do very well as cut and dried flowers in addition to looking attractive in the garden. Depending on where cornflowers are grown, they generally bloom in the late spring and early summer, after which the plant will produce seed and then die back, allowing gardeners to remove it.

The cornflower is extremely hardy, thriving in USDA zones three through 10. In North America, cornflowers are prized as garden flowers, but they also grow wild, thanks to their adaptability. In Eurasia, cornflowers tend to be treated more like weeds in many regions, since they can wreak havoc on crops, and in some areas of its native range the flower has ironically been classified as a threatened species which may vanish, due to vigorous eradication efforts.

There are a number of alternate names for the cornflower, including bachelor's button, bluebonnet, bluebottle, and ragged sailor. The "bachelor's button" comes from a tradition of wearing cornflowers in the buttonhole while courting, since the flowers last a long time as cut flowers; according to legend, if cornflowers faded or wilted in a young man's buttonhole, it suggested that his affections were not genuine.

The cornflower has also been used in traditional herbal medicine, steeped to make a rinse for sore or tired eyes. Cornflowers are also edible; they are traditionally added to some tea blends such as Lady Grey, and they are also used to garnish food or to add a note of color to pitchers of water.

When planting cornflowers in the garden, it helps to cluster them so that they will create a dense mass of blue when they bloom. Some cornflower varieties also get quite tall, making them suitable for use as filler in large beds where a rich background color might be desired.

Share
All Things Nature is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a All Things Nature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon354563 — On Nov 09, 2013

Why on earth would people try to eradicate this beautiful little flower? Not to mention all the medicinal uses it has - it helps with inflammation, improving digestion and aids the regulation of menstruation.

By motherteresa — On May 30, 2011

I am always amazed at the medicinal qualities of flowers and plants, and cornflower plants are no exception. They help in a variety of ways, from sore eyes, to healing wounds, to fighting infectious diseases. Different parts of the plant are used for specific ailment. From petals, to leaves, to seeds; from drying them to making juice, they can all be used to help us stay healthy.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-is-a-cornflower.htm
Copy this link
All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.