Bachelor’s Button

(Centaurea cyanus)

Bachelor’s Button (Centaurea cyanus)

/

return to results
Previous Plant Next Plant

/

Centaurea cyanus image
scroll forward scroll backward
scroll forward scroll backward
Estimated Native Range
Species Map Help

Summary

Centaurea cyanus, commonly known as Bachelor’s Button, is an annual herb native to temperate Europe and has naturalized in other parts of the world, including North America and Australia. Typically, it grows to 40–90 cm tall, with grey-green branched stems. The flowers, which bloom from early summer to fall, are most commonly an intense blue color and are arranged in flowerheads (capitula) of 1.5–3 cm diameter, with a ring of a few large, spreading ray florets surrounding a central cluster of disc florets. The blue pigment is protocyanin, which in roses is red, making the flowers quite showy and distinctive.

Bachelor’s Button is valued for its vibrant blue flowers and is often used in wildflower gardens, as cut flowers, and for attracting pollinators. It is easy to grow and maintain, making it a favorite among novice and experienced gardeners alike. The plant thrives in full sun and prefers neutral (pH 6.6–7.5) to mildly alkaline (pH 7.6–7.8) soil that is moist and well-drained. It is drought-tolerant once established. For summer blooms, sowing should be done in late spring. To enhance flower production, a mid-summer application of high phosphorus fertilizer is beneficial. Mulching helps maintain soil moisture and protects the root system. While it adapts to a range of soil drainage conditions, it is potentially invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 0.5-1 feet
  • Width: 0.5-1 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: Blue, Pink, White, Purple
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention:

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Hummingbird Garden, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to temperate Europe and naturalized in various regions including North America and Australia

Other Names

Common Names: Garden Cornflower , Bluebonnets , Bluebottle , Cornflower , Hurtsickle , Thimbles , Corn-Pinks , Bachelor’s-Button , Brushes , Blaver

Scientific Names: Centaurea cyanus , Centaurea pulcherrima , Cyanus segetum , Centaurea cyanus subsp. coa , Centaurea pulchra , Leucacantha cyanus , Centaurea cyanus var. denudata , Centaurea umbrosa , Centaurea segetalis , Centaurea cyanocephala

GBIF Accepted Name: Centaurea cyanus L.