Other Products ｜Cornflower Black & Mauve Mix

Why choose between drama and romance when you can have both? This curated mix blends two of our favourite varieties: the deep, velvet-chocolate 'Black Ball' and the soft, dusty lilac 'Mauve Boy'.
Together, they create a stunning, vintage-style display that looks like it has been lifted straight from a Dutch oil painting. The dark maroon adds depth, while the mauve adds a soft, antique glow. Growing tall on sturdy silver stems, this mix is a ready-made bouquet; simply cut a handful of stems, drop them in a vase, and you have an instant designer arrangement.
Read our full UK growing guide for Cornflowers here: Cornflowers in Your Cottage Garden: Growing Guide for UK Climate

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Understanding the Plant

Cornflower is a Hardy Annual.
It completes its life cycle in one season. Both varieties in this mix are "Ball" types, meaning they produce double, ruffled flowers that are fuller and more substantial than wild cornflowers.
The "Autumn Secret": Cornflowers are incredibly hardy. For the biggest plants and earliest flowers, sow them in September. They will establish a root system over winter and bloom weeks before spring-sown plants.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Cornflowers have deep taproots and hate being moved, so direct sowing is best.
Germination:Sow directly outdoors in Autumn (Sept) or Spring (March-May). Scatter seeds onto raked soil and cover lightly (3mm deep). Germination takes 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:They demand **full sun**. They thrive in well-drained soil. Avoid rich, manured soil as this promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers. They love "lean" conditions.
Care While Growing:Support: These are tall varieties (90cm). In open gardens, use twiggy sticks or netting to stop the heavy flower heads from flopping in the wind.Deadhead: Snip off the dead flower heads regularly to keep the plant blooming for months.

Plant Specifications

Latin Name
Centaurea cyanus

Common Name
Cornflower 'Black & Mauve Mix'

Hardiness

H7 (Very Hardy - to -20°C)

Light Required
Full Sun ☀️

Height
↕️ 75cm - 90cm (Tall)

Spread
↔️ 30cm

Spacing
30cm apart

Great for
✂️ Cut Flowers Vintage Themes Bees & Butterflies Edible Garnish

Seed Count
Approx. 200 seeds per packet

Perfect Garden Companions

This mix is dark and moody, so it benefits from a "light" companion to lift it:

️ Orlaya grandiflora: The White Lace. The pure white, lace-like flowers of Orlaya provide a fresh, bridal contrast to the heavy, dark colours of the cornflower mix.

Panicum 'Frosted Explosion': The Sparkle. Adding this airy grass to the mix creates a stunning, modern meadow look. The grass sparkles in the light, preventing the dark cornflowers from looking too heavy.

Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow outdoors in autumn or spring. Flowers mid-summer to autumn.

Month
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Sow Outdoors

Flowers

⚠️ Edible GarnishBoth 'Black Ball' and 'Mauve Boy' petals are edible! Use them to garnish cocktails, sprinkle over salads, or freeze in ice cubes for a sophisticated touch.

Officially Recognised Excellence
This is a top-tier plant for biodiversity. Centaurea cyanus is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, producing high-quality nectar that is easily accessible to bees and butterflies.
Brand:Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden LtdCategory:AnnualSKU:CRN-BAMTags:Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd, COLLECTIVE, Shopify Collective