Bachelor's Button 'Blue Boy'

Blue Bachelor’s Buttons (Centaurea cyanus)

Classic, cheerful, and endlessly versatile, Blue Bachelor’s Buttons are beloved for their bright, true-blue blooms that bring a crisp, vintage charm to any garden or bouquet. Each star-shaped flower, 1–2 inches across, perches atop sturdy, upright stems, creating a lively vertical accent that pairs beautifully with soft pastels, creamy whites, and warm, sun-drenched tones. Ideal for cutting gardens, borders, wildflower meadows, or naturalized plantings, these blooms add timeless beauty, texture, and a touch of old-world romance.

An easy-to-grow annual, Blue Bachelor’s Buttons thrive in full sun with well-drained soil, producing a long and prolific bloom period from early summer to frost. Plants are hardy, low-maintenance, and adaptable to a variety of garden conditions, making them perfect for both new and experienced gardeners. Deadheading spent flowers encourages continued blooming, while leaving a few to go to seed allows them to gently self-sow for the following season. Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, these classic blue blooms bring life, movement, and a nostalgic charm to every garden. Also known as Cornflower.

DETAILS:

QTY: 100

TYPE: Hardy Annual

SITE: Full Sun

DEPTH: 1/4"

GERMINATION: 7-14 days at 16-18°C

HEIGHT: Approx. 36"

SPACING: 9-12"

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:

Direct Seed (recommended): Sow seeds outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring. Cover seeds lightly and keep the soil surface moist until emergence. Once the first true leaves appear, thin seedlings to a final spacing of 6–9" apart. In areas with mild winters, you can also sow in the fall for earlier blooms the following spring.

Transplant (alternative): Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost. Once the first true leaves appear, transplant into larger containers. Grow at 10–12°C  at night for several weeks to help develop a strong root ball. Harden off and transplant outdoors after the last frost.

Pinching: Pinching is not necessary for Bachelor's Button. However, deadheading spent flowers is highly recommended to encourage more blooms throughout the season.

Soil Preference and Watering: Bachelor's Button prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination and establishment. Once mature, it is a drought-tolerant plant.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing is not required for Bachelor's Button. It performs best in lean to average soil.

Harvesting: For bouquets, harvest stems when the flowers are fully open. For drying, harvest at the same stage and hang bunches upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area for 2–3 weeks. This annual may also self-seed, creating a naturalized look in your garden.