Flower Library
Cornflowers
Centaurea cyanus · Korbblütler (Asteraceae)
Cornflowers bring a glowing, almost unreal blue to any bouquet that hardly any other flower achieves so purely. They feel light, natural and wildly summery. Because we buy daily straight from the Veiling Rhein-Maas auction, the delicate flower heads reach our Pempelfort workshop fresh and firm.
- Season
- May – June – July – August – September
- Vase life
- 5–8 days
- Latin name
- Centaurea cyanus
- Colors
- Cornflower blue, Violet, Pink, White, Deep red
Botanically the cornflower belongs to the daisy family and thus to the knapweed genus. Its signature is the fringed ring of florets around a denser centre. Besides the classic cornflower blue there have long been cultivars in violet, pink, white and an almost black deep red that blend together beautifully.
In floristry the cornflower is a true summer flower, prized above all as a delicate filler. Its airy heads loosen up dense bouquets, give meadow and field arrangements their natural character and add romantic, casual accents to bridal work. It also has its place dried and as an edible decorative flower in the kitchen.
When buying we look for firm, not yet fully open heads and strong, unkinked stems. Fresh cornflowers have taut floret edges and lush foliage. Drooping or already browning outer florets are a sign of age. Sourcing directly without a wholesale middleman, we receive the flowers with minimal standing time and accordingly longer shelf life.
In the bouquet the blue of the cornflower harmonises especially well with warm counter tones. With poppies, marguerites, yarrow and grasses it creates a classic summer-meadow look; with roses and asters it reads more elegantly. For a tone-in-tone palette, blue cornflowers pair with delphinium and eryngium into a cool, modern colour image.
Care
- 01Cut stems at an angle and place them straight into lukewarm, clean water.
- 02Remove the lower leaves so no foliage rots in the water and breeds bacteria.
- 03Change the water every one to two days and rinse the vase thoroughly each time.
- 04Keep cool and out of direct sun; avoid proximity to heaters and ripening fruit.
- 05Flower food or a pinch of sugar in the water noticeably extends the vase life.
- 06Pick off fading outer florets to keep the bouquet looking fresh for longer.
Frequently asked
- How long do cornflowers last in a vase?
- Cornflowers are considered rather short-lived and last on average about five to eight days. With fresh water daily, a cool spot and a little flower food you can get the most out of them. Our A1 stems from the Veiling Rhein-Maas start out especially fresh and therefore stand longer.
- Are cornflowers toxic to cats, dogs or children?
- No. Centaurea cyanus is regarded as non-toxic to humans and pets such as cats and dogs. The flowers are even edible and are occasionally used as decoration on dishes. Even so, pets should not eat cut flowers in general, as nibbling can upset the stomach.
- When are cornflowers in season?
- The cornflower is a classic summer flower and blooms outdoors from roughly May to September. During this period it is at its finest and most available as a cut flower at the auction; outside the season the choice is considerably smaller.
- What does the cornflower mean?
- The cornflower mainly symbolises loyalty, hope and gentle constancy. As a flower of the fields it stands for natural, unassuming beauty, making it a lovely gift when you want to hint at a genuine, lasting bond.