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An armload of Bachelor's Buttons Classic Magic
An armload of Bachelor's Buttons Classic Magic
Bachelor's Buttons Classic Magic growing in the field
A close up of Bachelor's Buttons Classic Magic
Bachelor's Buttons Classic Magic growing in the field
A bunch of Bachelor's Buttons Classic Magic

Bachelor’s Buttons ‘Classic Magic’

Centaurea cyanus

Features

  • Easy to grow
  • Edible
  • Foliage & Filler
  • Medium producer
  • Pollinator-friendly

Description

A refreshing new take on an old classic, this eye-catching mix of black, deep plum, and purple-and-white bicolor blooms is on our must-grow list. Easy to grow, pollinator-friendly, and a great choice for beginners, bachelor’s buttons will flower over a long period of time if regularly harvested.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 to 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 65 to 80 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Cold-tolerant; plants dislike being transplanted so direct-seed into the garden in the fall or early spring. Seed can be tricky to start indoors, so pop seeds into the freezer for 10 to 14 days before sowing to speed up germination. For an extended harvest, sow two plantings, one month apart.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when blooms are one-quarter to one-half open. If picking entire sprays, cut when half the flowers on a spray are open. Expect a vase life of 7 days.

Details

Description

A refreshing new take on an old classic, this eye-catching mix of black, deep plum, and purple-and-white bicolor blooms is on our must-grow list. Easy to grow, pollinator-friendly, and a great choice for beginners, bachelor’s buttons will flower over a long period of time if regularly harvested.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 to 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 65 to 80 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Cold-tolerant; plants dislike being transplanted so direct-seed into the garden in the fall or early spring. Seed can be tricky to start indoors, so pop seeds into the freezer for 10 to 14 days before sowing to speed up germination. For an extended harvest, sow two plantings, one month apart.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when blooms are one-quarter to one-half open. If picking entire sprays, cut when half the flowers on a spray are open. Expect a vase life of 7 days.

Sources

How to Grow

How to Grow

How to Start Flowers from Seed
How to Start Flowers from Seed

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Fabulous Foliages and Fillers
Fabulous Foliages and Fillers

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Easy-to-grow Hardy Annuals
Easy-to-grow Hardy Annuals

Hardy annuals are some of the hardest-working, most productive plants in the late spring/early summer cutting garden. They are the first annuals to bloom in the spring, and their ability to withstand cold temperatures, thrive with minimal care, and produce abundantly for weeks from a single sowing make them an indispensable addition to the cut flower garden.
Edible Favorites for Your Cutting Garden
Edible Favorites for Your Cutting Garden

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How to Start Flowers from Seed
How to Start Flowers from Seed
Fabulous Foliages and Fillers
Fabulous Foliages and Fillers
Easy-to-grow Hardy Annuals
Easy-to-grow Hardy Annuals
Edible Favorites for Your Cutting Garden
Edible Favorites for Your Cutting Garden

Fall
Mini Course

In our free, three-part video series, you’ll learn how and when to dig up your dahlia tuber clumps, how to divide dahlias to multiply your stock, and how to successfully store dahlias for an abundance of blooms year after year