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How to Grow and Care for Perennial cornflower

Perennial cornflower, also known as Mountain bluet, Mountain cornflower, Bachelor's button, Montane knapweed, Mountain knapweed

Perennial cornflower is known for its resilience and low-maintenance nature, making it a favored choice for gardeners seeking easy-care perennials. The plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires well-drained soil. Special care points include deadheading spent flowers to promote further blooming and dividing the clumps every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.

Watering schedule: Every week

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Perennial cornflower

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial, Annual
Watering Schedule	Every week
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7.5
Planting Time	Spring, Early summer
Hardiness Zones	5-9

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Varieties of Perennial cornflower

Perennial cornflower 'Jordy'

Perennial cornflower 'Jordy' sports deep, maroon-purple petals rather than the characteristic blue of the parent plant. Although this plant's exact lineage is up for debate, it likely originated from the traditional mountain bluet. Not only popular for its blooms, perennial cornflower 'Jordy' is also appreciated for its greyish-green leaves.

Perennial cornflower 'Purple Heart'

Perennial cornflower 'Purple Heart' has a stunningly complex flower that features white spiked florets and, yes, a purple heart (center). The plant's parent instead has blue florets surrounding a purple center, far less striking than this hybrid. Gardeners value this plant because of its striking flowers which bloom throughout the summer. It goes with many other summer flowers and is very easy to grow.

Perennial cornflower 'Alba'

Around twice the size of the average montana species of flower, perennial cornflower 'Alba' has uniquely shaped white flowers with deep-purple centers. Cultivated as a hybrid of other centaureas, this cultivar was named after the Latin word for "white." Gardeners admire this cultivar for its quick growth, distinctive appearance, and large blooms.

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More General Info About Perennial cornflower

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Perennial cornflower typically presents as an upright, clumping perennial, reaching a height of around 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm). It is characterized by its distinct, solitary blooms which have a fringed appearance and exhibit a vibrant blue hue. These flowers feature a striking reddish-blue center, which is framed by involucre bracts that have a notable black edging. The foliage adds to the aesthetic with its lance-shaped, green leaves that provide a lush backdrop for the colorful inflorescence.