Orikrin1998 / CC BY 3.0
Bachelor button
Overview
Also known as cornflower, this charming annual was once so common in European grain fields that it became the national flower of several countries. Its brilliant blue petals are a true blue — one of the rarest colors in the plant kingdom. Bachelor buttons are edible, easy to grow, and self-seed freely, making them a carefree addition to wildflower meadows and cottage gardens.
How to Grow Bachelor button
Plant it in average, well-drained soil; tolerates poor soils, at a slightly acidic pH of 6–7.5.
Exact sowing, transplanting, and harvest months shift by climate zone — the planting calendar below lays them out for cool through hot regions. Give it what it asks for here, and it will find its place in the garden.
Companion Planting & Soil
Bachelor button grows well alongside poppy, cosmos, nasturtium, and borage.
Good Companions
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | May — Jun | Direct sow after last frost; scatter seeds; self-sows freely |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Jun — Aug | Cut when flowers are 3/4 open; edible petals for salads |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Mar — May | Direct sow in early spring; prefers cool weather |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | May — Jul | Harvest blooms regularly; self-sows for next year |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Feb — Apr | Sow in late winter/spring; also fall sow for early bloom |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Sep — Oct | Fall sowing for early spring flowers |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Apr — Jun | Deadhead for extended bloom |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Sep — Nov | Fall sow for winter/spring bloom |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Nov — Apr (wraps) | Blooms through cool months |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Oct — Dec | Fall sow; cool-season annual |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Dec — Mar (wraps) | Winter/early spring bloom |
Uses
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, bachelor button turns up in more than one form: edible petals as garnish for salads, cakes, and cocktails; dried flowers used in herbal tea blends; natural blue food coloring.
Beyond the Garden
Bachelor button earns its keep past the plate, too: attracts pollinators and beneficial insects; cut flowers with excellent vase life; natural dye yielding blue and green tones.
