Cornflower Black & Mauve Mix

Cornflower is a Hardy Annual.

It completes its life cycle in one season. Both varieties in this mix are "Ball" types, meaning they produce double, ruffled flowers that are fuller and more substantial than wild cornflowers.

The "Autumn Secret": Cornflowers are incredibly hardy. For the biggest plants and earliest flowers, sow them in September. They will establish a root system over winter and bloom weeks before spring-sown plants.

Cornflowers have deep taproots and hate being moved, so direct sowing is best.

Germination:
Sow directly outdoors in Autumn (Sept) or Spring (March-May). Scatter seeds onto raked soil and cover lightly (3mm deep). Germination takes 14-21 days.

Where to Sow:
They demand **full sun**. They thrive in well-drained soil. Avoid rich, manured soil as this promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers. They love "lean" conditions.

Care While Growing:
Support: These are tall varieties (90cm). In open gardens, use twiggy sticks or netting to stop the heavy flower heads from flopping in the wind.
Deadhead: Snip off the dead flower heads regularly to keep the plant blooming for months.

This mix is dark and moody, so it benefits from a "light" companion to lift it:

• ️ Orlaya grandiflora: The White Lace. The pure white, lace-like flowers of Orlaya provide a fresh, bridal contrast to the heavy, dark colours of the cornflower mix.
• Panicum 'Frosted Explosion': The Sparkle. Adding this airy grass to the mix creates a stunning, modern meadow look. The grass sparkles in the light, preventing the dark cornflowers from looking too heavy.

Sow outdoors in autumn or spring. Flowers mid-summer to autumn.