The annual blue cornflower, Centaurea cyanus, is a slender plant bearing pretty flowers in rich shades of blue. It’s commonly used in pictorial and annual meadow schemes, and makes an excellent cut flower, with thistle-like flowers surrounded by slender, gentian-blue petals. It’s extremely attractive to bees.

For best results, grow Cornflower, Blue in moist but well-drained soil, in full sun. The wiry plants may need support in exposed situations. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering in summer, but leave seeds to develop towards autumn, as these will provide food for birds.

• Standard pack: 150 seeds

Want to know more about growing Cornflowers? Check out our growing guides.