Close your eyes and imagine a country cottage garden. Slightly wild and utterly charming, overflowing with colour, scent and the peaceful humming sound of busy pollinators. Which flowers come to mind? Possibly roses, perhaps hollyhocks?…. and most definitely cornflowers. No cottage garden would be complete without them.
Once a common sight in cornfields across the UK, before the use of herbicides, these brilliant, cobalt blue, native flowers are now a rare sight but thankfully live on in our gardens. They are a dream to grow. Easy, prolific, (producing endless amounts of flowers over several months if you keep on top of the dead-heading), beloved of butterflies and bees and will happily self-seed.
They also make excellent cut flowers, lasting for 5-7 days in a vase.
Seed Quantity 400 Seeds
Type Annual
Genus Centaurea cyanus
Sow Seeds Sow in September for larger, stronger plants and/or in late April. Can be sown in modules to transplant later or direct into the soil. Pre-water the soil before sowing. Sow thinly and cover only very lightly. Do not let the soil dry out. Grow in poor, well-drained soil and in full sun and it is advisable to grow through some netting as they are prone to flopping over in high winds without support.
Plant Out July- October. Keep cutting and deadheading to encourage more blooms
Flowers June-September
Height & Spread 60-90cm high x 30cm spread
The RHS Plants for Pollinators mark is only given to plants that support pollinating insects.
Find out more at rhs.org.uk/plantsforpollinators
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Mel supplies the highest quality seed and I always get such great results. But what completes it - and keeps me coming back - is her enthusiasm and engagement with soooooo many of her customers and insta following. She genuinely cares, and is a fount of knowledge. She is a creator of the best kind - her products reflect that 💛
Wow what an absolute delight this company is. Their customer service is superb - they kindly arranged for me to order this box and hold back delivery until we knew the actual moving in date. And it arrived not only on time but full of love with beautiful planet friendly packaging. How many gifts can be buy where there is joy in the purchasing, the receiving AND in the anticipation for when the flowers actually appear.
I'm so thrilled I'm purchasing for myself. :-)
Beautifully presented!! Good number of seeds per packet and a lovely selection of flowers !
It was estimated to arrive, a bit too late , as we were going away and wanted to give it to my sister in law, before we went.. a quick E mail to the seller, and it was dispatched immediately and arrived in time… excellent!!
I am amazed how quickly these have germinated. The first ones were showing after 4 days. Very happy with the seeds and the whole transaction. Thank you.
I'm obsessed with bishybarnabeescottagegarden seeds, it's like being a kid in a candy store , I love varieties of the flower selection, I always order the seed boxes because they are great value for money and there's always a cute surprise every time I open the box , love the presentation and iv planted so many seed this month so impatiently waiting for next spring 🤭
I’ve bought several packets of seeds from Bishybarnabeescottsgegarden. Always great quality and great service. Thank you again
From ordering, receiving my gorgeously wrapped box, opening to reveal copper coloured shiny tins with beautiful labels. To smelling the fantastic fragrance, I was overwhelmed with the seamless flow of this purchase. Highly recommended and I’ll definitely try out more flavours.
Ordered these as I saw one growing wild in my garden and thought was lovely. Seeds arrived very promptly, part of a small batch of various seeds, along with a free gift which was very much appreciated. Will certainly buy again and am looking forward to seeing the plants next year.
amazing germination on these seeds. looking forward to lots of beautiful spring flowers
Seeds sown directly outdoors last summer, all germinated and formed lovely silvery rosettes, and half have now also thrown up flower stalks and are producing stunning vivid pink flowers. I’m hopeful that the other half may do the same next summer. Great seeds, well packaged, excellent instructions - many thanks!
I've never grown Hesperis (sweet rocket) until this year, but Melanie's seeds were so successful and prolific, that I now have beautiful flowers wafting their amazing aroma around my garden...plus our honey bees are so happy 🐝 In fact lots of pollinators are visiting!
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