Bachelor’s Button ‘Classic Magic’
Centaurea cyanus
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
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
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
Sources
How to Grow
Seed-Saving Mini Course
Learn how to save seed from zinnia, dahlia, and celosia
In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.
