Centaurea cyanus 'Polka Dot Series'
cornflower
A vibrant mix of annual cornflowers delivering a spectacular palette of colour from early summer into autumn. Shades range from classic cornflower blue to white, pink, purple, and red, and the lance-shaped grey-green leaves provide a lush backdrop for the showy blooms that attract pollinators. Sown in spring, these easy care flowers are ideal for cottage gardens, borders, and cutting.
How to care for Centaurea cyanus Polka Dot Series:
Cornflowers prefer poorer soils, so do not use fertiliser. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. In autumn cut the faded flower heads down to the ground and compost the dead stems.
Sowing instructions:
Surface-sow seeds in trays filled with good quality compost in spring or early autumn, and germinate at 50-61°F (10°C-16°C). Pot on when they have put on their first true leaves and harden off before planting out after the frosts have passed. Alternatively, sow directly in late spring or early summer, and thin out to 30cm as they grow. Seeds sown in autumn and over-wintered in a cold frame will produce plants that will flower earlier in the year than those sown in spring.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.5m
Eventual spread:
0.3m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
approx 325 seeds
Seed Packets (only)£2.95
Named Day Delivery£10.95
