Centaurea cyanus: Bachelor's Buttons for True Blue Flowers

Centaurea cyanus – Charming Prolific Annual

Bachelor's buttons bear charming prolific flowers in blue, pink, lavender, white, maroon. True blue color especially welcome (rare in nature). 1.5-inch disc-shaped flowers with ragged petals.

Culture

Flowers late June through August if deadheaded. Excellent for cutting and drying. Taller varieties may need staking. Well-drained ordinary soil, tolerate dry conditions but need water in hot weather. Can grow in containers for winter flowering. Easy from seed scattered in early spring. Self-sows. Pests: white mold, rust, mildews, thread blight, Southern blight.

Key Features

• Height: 1–3 ft.
• Spread: 6–12 in.
• Light: Full sun
• Moisture: Medium
• Bloom: Spring to summer (blue, pink, white)
• Features: Self-seeds, attracts beneficial bugs, good cut/dried flowers