White Cornflower 'White Ball' (Centaurea cyanus) seeds
- Radiant white for colourful summer gardens - easy to care for, edible and perfect for natural gardens.
- Contents: Approx. 200 seeds
- Open-pollinated variety, seed tested regularly
€2.39
Description
Elegant White Blooms – A Nostalgic Summer Flower for Borders, Wild Gardens and Bouquets
The White Cornflower 'White Ball' (Centaurea cyanus) is a refined cultivar of the wild cornflower, enchanting with its pure white, rounded flower heads. While the wild form was once a common sight in the cornfields of Europe, its natural populations have declined significantly due to intensive pesticide use and modern seed cleaning practices. 'White Ball' preserves the charm of the wildflower, enhanced by an unusual colour variant that brings brightness to borders, meadows, and floral arrangements.
The edible flowers are ideal for decorating salads, desserts, and baked goods. Though they lack the typical blue pigments, the white blooms captivate with their delicate beauty. They are not traditionally used as a dye plant.
This ornamental variety holds little medicinal significance. Historically, the wild cornflower was valued both as a symbolic and medicinal plant—especially in the treatment of eye ailments—and held cultural importance, for example as the national flower of Estonia.
Plant profile
| Plant type | Summer flower, Wildflower |
|---|---|
| Use | Cut flower, Dye plant, Medicinal plant, Ornamental plant, Vegetable |
| Lifecycle | Annual or biennial |
| Species | Asteraceae |
| Region of origin | Eastern Europe, Mediterranean Region, Southern Europe |
| Characteristics | Needs light to germinate |
| Eventual height | 30-150 cm |
| Flower colour | White |
| Flowering months | August, July, June, May |
Growing instructions
| When to sow outdoors | April, August, March, October, September |
|---|---|
| Sowing depth | 0.5 cm |
| Germination temperature | 10-18°C |
| Germination time | 2-3 weeks |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Soil type | Dry, Fresh, Humus-rich, Low nutrient levels, Poor, Sandy |
| Sunlight | Full sun, Shade |
| Water requirement | Low |
| Planting distance | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
Sowing and care
Sowing and Care of Centaurea cyanus
'White Ball' is an easy-to-grow annual that reaches a height of up to 80–100 cm. It prefers sunny to partially shaded locations and thrives particularly well in well-drained, low-nutrient soils. The plants are drought-tolerant and require little watering. Waterlogging should be avoided.
- Sowing: Direct sowing from April or in autumn. Cold germinator – do not cover seeds with soil.
- Germination: Occurs after a period of cold; allow approx. 30 cm spacing between plants.
- Care: Water sparingly, do not fertilise, prefers a sunny position.
With its elegant flower colour and low-maintenance cultivation, the cornflower 'White Ball' is a charming addition to wildflower gardens, cottage gardens, and vibrant summer bouquets.
Other names
Botanical name: Centaurea cyanus, Cyanus segetum, C. arvensis, C. vulgaris
German: Kornblume, Zyane
English: Cornflower, Bachelor's button, Boutonniere flower, Hurtsickle, Bluebottle, Cyani
French: Centaurée bleuet
Italian: Fiordaliso
Spanish: Aciano, Flor celeste
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