Today I went to the Temple of Bunning’s. Just discovered that Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus); can be sown in winter! According to the Jekka Mcvicar New Book of Herbs, it has edible flowers which are used as a tonic and a ‘stimulant’. Giggity, giggity, giggity. It is considered to be ‘hardy’, and grows to ~50cm x 15cm. The flowers are classically blue, though there are hybrids which may be pink, white, or purple- if you’re too snobby for the good old blue.
Fun Facts
-It’s used in French eyewash because it has eye brightening chemicals.
-Juice from flower petals make a blue ink for fabric dye and watercolour paint.
-It’s good at attracting bee pollinators.
-It is one of Germany’s national flowers.
-It’s known as “Bachelor’s Buttons” because young men in love wore them in folklore.
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