Description
The cornflower, also known as Centaurea cyanus, is a flowering plant native to Europe. It has beautiful blue flowers with a black center and narrow, pointed leaves. The plant grows to be about one to three feet tall and has a branching, upright habit. It is relatively fast-growing and blooms from mid-spring to early fall.
The cornflower can be differentiated from similar plants by its blue flowers and pointed leaves. It prefers well-drained, sandy soil and full sun to partial shade. To cultivate the cornflower successfully, a grower should plant it in a location with plenty of sun and water it regularly. The plant is winter hardy and can survive in cold climates.
The cornflower flowers are edible. It is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and is valued for its attractive blue flowers. The flowers can also be dried and used in potpourri or as a natural dye. In traditional medicine, cornflowers were used to treat a variety of ailments, including eye infections and skin irritation.
The cornflower is also valuable for wildlife. It is a popular food source for bees and other pollinators, and its presence in a garden can help to attract these beneficial insects.
