When most of us think of cornflowers, that classic “cornflower blue” is usually the first thing that pops into your head. But did you know these beauties actually come in a whole palette of colors? You can find them in crisp whites, deep reds, soft pinks, and even moody purples. If you’re looking to add some to your garden, you’re probably wondering: exactly how long do these blooms stick around?
A Full Summer of Color
One of the best things about cornflowers is that they aren’t “one-hit wonders.” They have a seriously impressive blooming window. Usually, the first flowers start popping up in June, and they’ll keep right on going until the first cool days of September. That means your garden beds will stay vibrant and colorful all summer long.
Getting a Head Start
If you want to make the most of your cornflower season, there are a few tricks to extend the show. First off, you’ve got to pick the right spot—they love lean, well-draining soil and as much sunshine as they can get.
Another pro tip? Start your seeds indoors during the spring rather than sowing them directly in the ground. If you get them started inside and transplant them outdoors in May (once the threat of frost has passed), they’ll hit the ground running. You’ll usually see blooms by early June. Plus, these “head-start” plants tend to be extra hardy, sometimes even pushing through until the first real frosts in October.
Keep Those Garden Shears Handy
To keep the flower power going all summer, you’ll need to do a little deadheading. If you leave the faded blooms on the plant, the cornflower shifts its energy away from making flowers and starts focusing on producing seeds. By snipping off the old flowers before they go to seed, you’re basically telling the plant to keep the new buds coming.
Just a quick heads-up for my fellow nature lovers: cornflowers are a major food source for our favorite pollinators. To give the bugs their space, try to do your pruning either before 11:00 AM or after 4:00 PM. That way, you won’t be interrupting breakfast or dinner for:
- Honeybees
- Bumblebees
- Butterflies
