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When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks before your average last frost date, or in late summer/fall for blooms the following season. Mild Climates: Sow in fall for winter bloom.
When to Start Inside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date. Not recommended; does not transplant well. Use biodegradable pots to avoid root disturbance.
Days to Emerge: 7–14 days
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 8″–10″
Thinning: When 1″–2″ tall, thin to 1 every 8″–10″
Special Care: For optimum germination, chill seed in the refrigerator for 5 days before sowing.
Harvesting: For longest vase life harvest in the morning and choose buds that are about half open.
Blue Boy Bachelor’s Button Seeds Reviews
So Easy to Grow
I love bachelor buttons. They remind me of my grandma, who always had them lining her loooong driveway. When they started looking ratty, she’d just mow them down. They are very drought tolerant and they bloom profusely. They also re-seed easily, so be careful where you put them. They do pull pretty easily, so even if they get away from you they aren’t hard to “weed.” The bees love them, so I plant them all over my veggie garden and pretty much just let them grow where they want.
Lovely Blue Cornflowers
Ah, these were wonderful, after surviving rabbits that loved to chew the succulent new buds off, they bloomed all summer. I hope they have self seeded. They were absolutely joyful!
Disappointed
The bachelor button seeds did not germinate at all. So I bought seeds from a different company–and they germinated just fine.
Owner Response: Hi Bernadette, Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback. Quality is very important to us. A customer service agent will be with you shortly.
Blue Boy Bachelor’s Buttons
Strong Plants
These were very easy to get started, I’m waiting on blue blooms. They’re vigorous and I succession planted because the first grew so well. Would recommend to someone looking for an easy flowering plant.
DISAPPOINTED
I PURCHASED 7 DIFFERENT SEED PACKETS AND NOT ONE SEED GERMINATED AFTER FOLLOWING PLANTING DIRECTIONS.
Owner Response: Hi Tom, We are sorry you’ve had a hard time getting these bachelor’s buttons to germinate. One trick you will find on the packet is to chill the seeds in the refrigerator for 5 days prior to sowing. We are always happy to help troubleshoot issues and of course, our seeds are guaranteed. Quality is very important to us and our seeds are tested frequently by a third-party laboratory to ensure germination rates meet federal and our own standards so you can have your best garden ever! A customer service agent will contact you soon to help.
Overwhelming Success!
I planted loads of flower seeds this year and had mixed success due to earwigs eating my young seedlings. The bachelor buttons were sown and all 12 sprouted and were small when I planted them in March. Now in mid July, they are the largest stand of flowers in my bed at nearly 4′ tall and the blue bachelor buttons patch is as wide. Tonight we saw the bees hummingbirds and finches all enjoying this delightful blue stand of flowers, and we love them as much our garden pals do.
Easy peasy plant
Great germination, nonstop blooms, deadheaded/cut back three times over the summer blooms string until First hard frost
Blue Boy Bachelor Buttons
Very easy to grow. I simply broadcast these seeds in the garden and they took off. Love that pop of blue throughout the garden. Been dropping these seed heads in the garden all season as well for growth in 2022.
Abundant blooms
I winter sowed seed and transplanted into both a large pot and raised garden bed. The latter were sturdier plants and bloomed into mid August beside yellow dill umbels. Pretty.
Bachelor Buttons
Were duds this year–only a few germinated, and they only got about 5″ tall. This is okay. It’s a pandemic year. I’ll order them again.
Owner Response: Hi Peggy, We are sorry you had problems with this product. a customer service agent will be with you shortly to help.
Very poor performer
Planted these in a new bed with great soil. Only a few came up. Very disappointed. Will not purchase again.
Owner Response: Hi Mary Jo, We are sorry you had difficulty germinating these flowers. A customer service agent will email you to help. Rest assured that our seeds are tested regularly to ensure germination rates meet federal and our own standards.
a little disappointing
I have had good success growing bachelor buttons in my flower garden in the past with good success so I was pretty disappointed with these seeds. The plants that grew were low in number and had very spindly stems with few flowers also they were shorted then other button seeds Ive grown. I would not buy these seeds again.
Owner Response: Hi Ruth, Thank you for your feedback. Judging by your reviews you had difficulty growing a few things and we want you to know we are always happy to help troubleshoot growing issues. It sounds as though the seeds performed well by germinating. Once germinated, plants rely on environmental conditions (soil nutrients, sun, water, temperature. ) to create enough food using photosynthesis to grow well. It may be worth doing a soil test to see how conditions can be improved. As a reminder, these plants perform best in full sun (6 or more hours). We sure help these tips help with your future success. Happy gardening!
True Blue Color, Not Purple
Stunning cornflower blue color! Most “blue” flowers are a light purple, not these! I direct sowed in beds when the soil temps were cold, but workable (in early April I think). Germination was good. I deadheaded when I remembered & maintained constant blooms until mid-summer heat. Fantastic paired with American poppies!
Blue Boy
West Coast Seeds ships anywhere in North America. However, we are not able to ship garlic, potatoes, asparagus crowns, bulbs, onion sets, Mason bee cocoons, or nematodes outside of Canada. We regret, we cannot accept returns or damages for orders outside of Canada. The minimum shipping charge to the US is $6.99.
West Coast Seeds ships anywhere in North America. However, we are not able to ship garlic, potatoes, asparagus crowns, bulbs, onion sets, Mason bee cocoons, or nematodes outside of Canada. We regret, we cannot accept returns or damages for orders outside of Canada. The minimum shipping charge to the US is $6.99.
More details about Blue Boy
Centaurea cyanus. Centaurea are also known as Bachelor’s Buttons. These familiar, charming, brightly-coloured pompoms on fuzzy grey stems, are well loved by humans and attractive to beneficial hover-flies. Blue Boy is at home in borders, with herbs, or in the kitchen garden. Direct sow Blue Boy cornflower seeds at repeated intervals in April to June to extend bloom. Centaurea can also be planted in October on the Coast. Blue Boy has the traditional vivid blue blossoms, tall growing for masses of cut flowers. Centaurea flowers also dry particularly well. Tear fresh flower petals for use in salads, teas, or fancy drinks. Plant height 90cm (36″). It is drought tolerant once established, so good for xeriscaping.
Quick Facts:
- Annual
- Edible flowers
- Tall growing for cut flowers.
- Bright blue on fuzzy grey stems
- Plant height 90cm (36″)
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Blue Boy
All About Blue Boy
Latin
Latin
Centaurea cyanus
Family: Asteraceae
Difficulty
Difficulty
Very easy
Season & Zone
Season & Zone
Exposure: Full sun
Timing
Timing
Direct sow starting just before last frost, and again every two weeks until end of spring. Centaurea can be direct sown in autumn as well. Starting indoors is not necessary, but can be accomplished by keeping seed trays in the dark at the optimal soil temperature of 15-21°C (60-70°F). Move under bright lights once germination occurs, and transplant out in late spring, after all risk of frost has passed.
Starting
Starting
Just cover the small seeds. Thin or space to 15-30cm (6-12″) apart.
Growing
Growing
We acknowledge that Centaurea cyanus sometimes appears on lists of invasive species. In our experience, for the back yard or balcony gardener, this is not an issue, and the plants are easily controlled. They are short rooted, and can be pulled up with little effort. Unlike some plants, its seeds simply drop locally if allowed to mature, and do not eject, and they do not spread by underground rhizome. We respectfully ask that gardeners who live in threatened or sensitive ecosystems take this into consideration when planting Centaurea, just like any other type of seed.
How to Grow Cornflowers
Step 1: Timing
Direct sow starting just before last frost, and again every two weeks until end of spring. Centaurea can be direct sown in autumn as well. Starting indoors is not necessary, but can be accomplished by keeping seed trays in the dark at the optimal soil temperature of 15-21°C (60-70°F). Move under bright lights once germination occurs, and transplant out in late spring, after all risk of frost has passed.
Step 2: Starting
Just cover the small seeds. Thin or space to 15-30cm (6-12″) apart.
Step 3: Growing
We acknowledge that Centaurea cyanus sometimes appears on lists of invasive species. In our experience, for the back yard or balcony gardener, this is not an issue, and the plants are easily controlled. They are short rooted, and can be pulled up with little effort. Unlike some plants, its seeds simply drop locally if allowed to mature, and do not eject, and they do not spread by underground rhizome. We respectfully ask that gardeners who live in threatened or sensitive ecosystems take this into consideration when planting Centaurea, just like any other type of seed.