One of the oldest annual varieties of Cornflower, from at least 1937. Double, dark blue blossoms on upright stems, growing to a height of 38cm.

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil and a sunny position. Tolerates dry, low fertility and alkaline soils.

Established plants are drought tolerant. A very ornamental plant. The flowers are often used in dried-flower arrangements because they retain their colour well.

A good plant for bees, butterflies and moths. A very ornamental plant. The flowers are often used in dried-flower arrangements because they retain their colour well.

The cornflower is considered to be a good companion, in small quantities, for cereal crops, though another report says that its greedy roots deprive the cultivated plants of nutrients and its tough stem dulls the reaper's sickle.

 Edible uses

The young shoots are edible.

Flowers - raw or cooked. The fresh florets can be used in salads. They are used as a vegetable or a garnish.

An edible blue dye is obtained from the flowers, used for colouring sugar and confections.

http://practicalplants.org/wiki/Centaurea_cyanus