Cornflower

Most commonly found with blue fringe-petaled flowers, these graceful, easy-to-grow plants are an old-fashioned favorite. Flowers also have been developed in shades of pink, white, red, and lavender. Plants average 1 to 3 feet tall with fine, lacy, light-green or gray-green foliage. Popular varieties include 'Blue Boy,' 'Pinkie, Snowman,' 'Jubilee Gem,' and 'Red Boy.' A perennial type of cornflower is also available, but its flowers arent as large and showy as the annual types and its not nearly as good for cutting.

Choose a sunny location for planting. Average soil is fine, if well-drained.

Seeds are hardy and can be sown as soon as the ground is workable. Or plant established nursery seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Seed also may be sown in fall for flowers the following year. Plants often are self-sowing, although flowers tend to become gray-white in succeeding years.

Keep faded flowers snipped to encourage continuous bloom. Plants show well in massed groupings since individuals are fine-textured and graceful. Use flowers in fresh arrangements, or hang to dry.