Cornflower Blue Ball
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Description
Cornflower 'Blue Ball' Seeds
'Blue Ball' is the definitive Cornflower. It produces masses of fully double, ruffled blooms in a vivid, electric shade of azure-blue that seems to glow in the sunlight. Unlike the wispy wild variety, these flowers are dense, round, and substantial (hence the name 'Ball'). Standing tall on silvery stems with feathery foliage, this is a "cut-and-come-again" workhorse that bridges the gap between wild meadows and formal borders.
This variety looks just as good in a chaotic cottage garden as it does in a neat row in the cutting patch. Simply cut a handful of stems, drop them in a vase, and you have an instant designer arrangement. The more you cut, the more it flowers—producing buckets of blooms from early summer right through to the first frosts. Incredibly hardy, ridiculously easy to grow, and beloved by bees—this is the quintessential cottage garden flower.
Delivery
The seeds will be dispatched direct to you by Bishy Barnabees. Please allow up to 5 days for delivery.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Ball' is a robust Hardy Annual (H7). As a selected form of the British native wildflower, it is perfectly adapted to the UK climate, surviving temperatures as low as -20°C. It is a "cool-season" specialist, meaning it establishes its best root systems when the soil is cool in either spring or autumn.
The "Autumn Secret": While many gardeners sow Cornflowers in spring, the secret to giant plants with hundreds of flowers is September sowing. Autumn-sown 'Blue Ball' plants develop deep, resilient root systems over winter and burst into bloom weeks earlier than spring-sown counterparts, resulting in bushier, taller, and more floriferous specimens.
Cultural History: Cornflowers were once a common sight in British cornfields, growing as a "weed" among wheat and barley. This specific azure-blue was so distinctive that it became recognized as its own colour, "Cornflower Blue," widely celebrated in European art and design for centuries.
🌱 Growing Guide
Cornflowers are among the easiest plants to raise from seed, providing high reward for minimal effort.
How to Sow:
Direct sow outdoors in September for early summer blooms, or in March to May for a continuous mid-to-late summer display. Cornflowers possess a deep taproot and hate being moved; for this reason, direct sowing into their final position is always the most successful method. Scatter the seeds onto finely raked soil and cover very lightly (just 3mm deep). Germination typically occurs within 14-21 days.
Where to Plant:
They demand full sun and prefer well-drained soil. Paradoxically, Cornflowers thrive in poor, "hungry" soils. Over-feeding or planting in rich ground will lead to excessive, soft leafy growth and weak stems. Sandy or chalky soils are ideal for producing sturdy, upright plants.
Ongoing Care:
As 'Blue Ball' can reach heights of 90cm, we recommend providing light twiggy support (hazel or birch) early in the season to prevent the plants from flopping after heavy rain. Deadheading spent flower heads weekly—or cutting them for the vase—is essential to stimulate the plant into producing fresh buds; if left to set seed, the plant will stop flowering early.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Botanical Name | Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Ball' |
| Common Name | Cornflower |
| Plant Type | Hardy Annual |
| Hardiness | H7 (Ultra Hardy) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | 75cm - 90cm |
| Spread | 30cm |
| Spacing | Plant 30cm apart |
| Flowering Period | June to September |
| Perfect For | ✂️ Professional Cut Flowers 🐝 Bee & Butterfly Support 🌾 Wildflower & Meadow Plantings 🥗 Gourmet Edible Garnishes |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 200 seeds |
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations
Electric blue is one of the most versatile colours in the garden, providing a striking contrast to warm tones and cool pastels alike:
- 🧡 Calendula 'Art Shades Mixed': The Vibrant Contrast. Blue and orange are opposites on the colour wheel; planting these together creates a high-energy, vibrating display that looks incredible under the summer sun. Both share a love for poor soils and can be autumn-sown together for an early summer burst.
- 🔴 Poppy 'Flanders Red': The Heritage Meadow. Recreate a traditional British cornfield by mixing 'Blue Ball' Cornflowers with red field poppies. It is a timeless, rustic combination that provides high-quality nectar and evokes the romantic wildflower meadows of old England.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Direct sow in autumn for the strongest plants, or in spring for successional waves of electric-blue blooms through the summer.
🐝 Wildlife Champion
Cornflowers are a superstar plant for biodiversity. As an RHS Plant for Pollinators, 'Blue Ball' produces high-quality, easily accessible nectar that attracts a vast array of British bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.
🏆 Robust Garden Stamina
Known for its stamina and ability to thrive on poor, sandy, or chalky soils, Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Ball' is an essential choice for those wanting to create a traditional, low-maintenance garden that provides high-quality azure stems for the vase.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery:
Delivery to mainland UK is calculated at checkout. For all other areas and large orders please ask for a quote. Orders will be sent by express next day delivery (DPD). They will be dispatched on a next working day service, with the exception of Ireland where it may take two days. Please allow up to 48 hours for delivery in the UK as the couriers may have already been and collected on the day you send your order in. Smaller orders for pouches, pockets, bags and pots may be sent via Royal Mail delivery. Please ensure you supply an email address and a mobile so you can be updated about your delivery. Should you have any problems with your delivery, please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk.Special Deliveries
Saturday or weekday morning deliveries can be arranged, but there will be a surcharge. Please contact us to request a price for either of these delivery services. If you need a parcel sending outside of the UK, please contact us for a quote.Returns:
If you are not completely happy with any product that you have ordered from us, you may return it to us in its original condition any time within 14 calendar days from the date of dispatch. Products must be returned in their original condition. Please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk to arrange a return. If you return a product by post, you will need to pay the costs of returning the product to us and obtain proof of posting.
Be a smarter gardener
Gardening organically is a more affordable and long term alternative to using chemical fertilisers. Natural Grower products eliminate waste because the nutrients are slowly released to the plants as they need them. Over the long-term you save money because your soil health naturally improves, which in turn produces healthier, stronger, disease resistant plants. Chemical products may cost less financially in the short term, but they don’t provide any long-term benefits and the damage they do to the natural eco-system in the soil is costly.
Slow release for sustained growth
Organic fertilisers are broken down slowly by organisms in the soil to produce a more measured, consistent, natural release of nutrients. This results in uniform growth with strong stems and leaves, unlike chemical fertilisers which provide a sudden boost resulting in tall lanky plants. Stronger plants are more resistant to disease, and with the presence of mycorrizhal fungi to strengthen the roots, the plants, soil and fungi all work together long-term to create the perfect natural eco-system.
Love your land
The organic matter in Natural Grower will help keep your soil or compost in optimum condition, retain moisture over the dry summer months and improve the health and structure of your soil. The presence of natural Mycorrhizal fungi in our products enhances root growth, enabling plants to extract nutrients and absorb water more efficiently from the soil or compost. By using our products you will be supporting and enhancing the natural eco-system in the soil.
Embrace sustainability
Natural Grower’s chemical free fertiliser products are approved organic, biodynamic and vegan. Plant-based and free from chemicals they are safe to use around wildlife, pets and children. Eco-friendly and sustainably produced in the UK. Our packaging is made from recycled plastic where possible and is all 100% recyclable. We are always happy to refill used containers, and often sell our products in reused containers or slightly damaged packaging at a reduced price. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
