CornflowerCentaurea cyanusLacy Bird Encyclopedia
filler · easy · budget
Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus · aka bachelor's button, bluebottle, boutonniere flower
Cornflower is the intense, true-blue button of the summer meadow, a wild grain-field annual florists prize for a shade of blue few flowers can match. Its slender wiry stems and fringed, thistle-like heads bring an airy, informal sparkle to hand-tied bouquets and buttonholes. Though the classic blue is the signature, it also comes in pink, white and deep plum. Best used fresh and loosely, it is a cottage-garden staple for rustic and boho weddings.
At a glance
| Family | Asteraceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Europe (temperate and Mediterranean grain fields) |
| Peak season | June, July |
| Availability | May, June, July, August, September |
| Stem length | 30–70 cm |
| Vase life | 5–7 days |
| Colors | blue, purple, pink, white |
| Price tier | budget |
Conditioning
Cut stems at an angle and strip lower foliage that would sit below the waterline. Give a deep drink of cool water with flower food for a few hours before designing, as the thin stems dehydrate quickly. Keep cool and out of direct sun; the true-blue pigment fades faster in warmth.
Care in the vase
- •Recut stems on a slant
- •Strip submerged leaves
- •Use clean water with flower food
- •Refresh water every two days
- •Keep away from heat and direct sun
- •Handle the brittle stems gently
Design role & symbolism
Symbolismhope, devotion, delicacy, remembrance
Occasionswedding, boutonniere, everyday, summer wedding, garden-style, rustic arrangements
Substitutesscabiosa, nigella, aster, delphinium
fillercottage-gardengarden-stylesummerbluedelicatewedding
