National Garden Bureau Green Thumb Award 2024
The Bride Cornflower is a flowering annual that grows to a mature height of 36 to 40 inches tall and blooms from midsummer through fall. Borne singly on tall, strong, unbranched stems, the extra-large, fringy flowers are pure white and wonderfully sweet-scented, smelling of vanilla and white chocolate. Pollinator friendly, the nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects to the garden. They make attractive, long-lasting cut flowers for summer bouquets, and they can be dyed to a desired color or dried for potpourri or everlasting arrangements.
A Centaurea moschata Imperialis (syn Amberboa moschata), commonly called cornflower or sweet sultan, The Bride has a bushy, upright habit and looks its best when grouped or massed in garden beds, borders, and containers. In optimal conditions, it may self-seed and return each year. Cornflower is a great option for a wildflower garden, cut flower garden, or butterfly garden.
An easy-grow, easy-care plant, cornflower grows best in a sunny spot with moderately moist, freely draining soil having a slightly alkaline pH, just above 7.0. However, it thrives in almost any garden soil, and in hot summer climates, a little afternoon shade may be preferable. The plant has low fertilizer needs but benefits from a yearly feeding in spring. Removing faded flowers encourages new blooms and controls unwanted self-seeding. Cornflower is drought tolerant and requires only infrequent watering. Stems may flop with too much moisture.
Ensure a successful cornflower growing season by avoiding common gardening mistakes and using the best tools available. Check out our apps to help you grow and answer gardening questions for a flourishing garden.
