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

Summer
Mini Course

In our upcoming three-part video series, you’ll learn a simple step to double the number of blooms your plants produce, how to cut and care for your flowers for the longest vase life, and how to make mixed bouquets quickly and efficiently.