This photo was taken last night. It is so much fun to see the plants starting to come back. This plant is one of my favorites. It's common name is Cornflower, Mountain Bluet or Perennial Bachelor Buttons. It grows well in full sun and light shade and in poor to average soil fertility. In rich soil, plants may develop straggly, floppy growth and may become invasive. (I have not had this problem, but were it is planted the soil is not the best.)Thin the new shoots by about one-third in the spring to increase air circulation through the plant. This will help with downy or powdery mildew, rust or mold. I have had rust some years, but I cut the plant back to the basal growth as soon as it is done blooming. It gets a second flush of blooms in the late summer.
The following photos were taken last spring and summer. This is what the flower looks like when it first opens.
Here it is open just a little bit more.
It still looks ok in this photo, but it is starting to fade.
Here it is almost done and the center is staring to go to seed.This flower is so much fun to use in arrangements. I love to use it in 4th of July arrangements.
Today is Fertilizer Friday. Thanks to Tootsie Time. Check out the other here.
