Gardeners are busy getting their plants ready for the summer months, but if you have yet to sow your seeds, fear not. There is a flower you can plant now that takes just weeks to grow, meaning it will be ready in the summertime. Flowers add a lovely burst of colour to a British garden, especially when we are blessed with sunny days in summer. This plant is a great choice to add that splash of brightness to your garden this year.
Cornflowers take just ten weeks to grow, experts say. If they are planted in your garden this week, they will fully bloom by the end of May, meaning you will enjoy the sight of them in your space for the duration of the summer. Not only do these flowers grow fast, but the method in which they are planted and cared for is quite straight-forward as well. Here is why you should grow cornflowers and how to do it.
Cornflowers, also known as bachelor’s button, are deep blue/purple in colour. They add a lovely dash of excitement to your garden and can grow to between 30cm and 120cm, making them a stand-out plant.
An extra benefit is that these plants are generally pest-free, according to the Royal Horticultural Society, meaning that you won’t have to worry about protecting them from insects or rodents that might enter your garden and threaten other plants.
To grow cornflowers, sow the seeds directly where the plant is to flower. If you decide to sow the seeds in trays, harden them before planting them 15cm apart in the ground. When the flowers begin to bloom, remove faded heads to allow others to soak up more of the plant’s energy.
Cornflowers also need well-drained soil to to grow. For those considering placing these flowers in their garden for summer, they make an attractive filler for flower borders and flower beds.
They also grow well in containers, meaning you can place them in places like your patio or your driveway. While they are generally free of pests, cornflowers might be succeptible to powdery mildew, which is best avoided by placing the plant in direct sunlight to avoid it getting damp in the shade.