Bachelor's Button 'Snowman'

Snowman Bachelor’s Buttons (Centaurea cyanus)

Snowman blooms in pristine, pure white, bringing a bright, airy elegance to garden beds, borders, and cutting gardens. The crisp, clean flowers create a striking contrast when paired with deep blues, soft pinks, or rich burgundy tones, making them a versatile choice for both romantic and cottage-style arrangements. Each sturdy stem carries charming star-shaped blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, adding both beauty and biodiversity to your garden. Ideal for fresh bouquets, dried arrangements, or mixed borders, Snowman provides a timeless, delicate touch wherever planted.

An easy-to-grow annual, this variety thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and produces continuous blooms from early summer until frost. Deadhead spent flowers to extend the flowering period and maintain tidy plants, or leave some to self-seed for effortless naturalization. Low-maintenance and endlessly charming, Snowman is perfect for gardeners seeking soft contrast, graceful texture, and long-lasting beauty. Also known as Cornflower or Bluebottle.

DETAILS:

QTY: 75

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.