Organic cornflower

Organic Cornflower ( Centaurea cyanus ) , offered by Les Jardins de l'Écoumène

Native to Eurasia, cornflower (Kentaurium 'Bleuet') is an iconic annual , renowned for its intense blue flowers that brighten the garden from June to August . Slender and airy, it reaches a height of 60 to 80 cm and integrates naturally into vegetable gardens, flowerbeds, and cottage gardens. It is a plant much loved by bees, butterflies, and other pollinators , making it an excellent choice for supporting biodiversity.

Beyond its ornamental appeal, the cornflower is a high-quality edible and medicinal flower . Hardy and undemanding, it grows easily in well-drained, even poor, soils and tolerates drought as well as some shade. It is rarely affected by diseases or insects and, importantly, deer avoid it .

Spread: 30 to 40 cm
Plant height: 60 to 80 cm
Quantity per packet: Approximately 60 seeds
Number of days for harvest: Approximately 85 days
Companion plants: Carrot, lettuce, cucumber, peas, herbs
Plant enemies: None known

Farming method

Cornflower (Centaurea 'Bleuet') is sown directly in the garden in spring , as soon as the soil can be worked. It prefers full sun but tolerates light shade . Very adaptable, it grows in well-drained soils, even poor ones, without requiring any special amendments.

Light watering is sufficient until germination; afterwards, the plant requires little water . Removing faded flowers prolongs blooming, while allowing a few flowers to go to seed encourages self-seeding .

Harvesting and uses

Harvest the freshly opened flowers, ideally in the morning, when their color is most vibrant and their texture most delicate. Cornflower (Centaurea 'Bleuet') is recognized as one of the finest edible flowers : sweet, slightly sugary, and very pleasant on the palate , it can be enjoyed on its own or as an accompaniment. It looks superb on vegetable dips , salads, fresh cheeses, or cold dishes, where its spectacular appearance creates a truly irresistible effect .

The flowers can also be used dried to prepare digestive and stimulating infusions , or processed into a natural blue food coloring . Traditionally, cornflower infusion is valued for aiding digestion , relieving constipation, and, when used as a gargle, soothing irritated gums and minor oral inflammations.

The 'Bleuet' cornflower is a generous, beautiful and delicious plant, perfect for those who wish to grow flowers that are as useful as they are spectacular, from garden to plate.