Bachelor's buttons, better known as cornflower, produce vivid blue, fringed blooms that were once a common weed among European wheat fields before becoming a beloved garden and cut flower.
Its striking true-blue color is genuinely rare in the plant world, making cornflower a favorite for gardeners seeking that particular shade. Easy to grow from seed and quick to bloom, it remains a staple of cottage gardens and wildflower meadow mixes alike.
Bachelor's buttons symbolize hope and delicacy, and its name reportedly comes from a tradition of young men wearing the flower in their buttonhole to signal they were single and looking for love.
Direct-sow bachelor's buttons in full sun after the last frost, in average, well-draining soil — this easygoing annual asks for little beyond sunlight. It self-seeds readily, often returning on its own year after year without any need for replanting, and makes an excellent addition to wildflower meadow mixes.
Cornflower petals have traditionally been used in herbal eye washes and teas, and the edible flowers are still used today as an attractive, mild-flavored garnish in salads and desserts.
