I have had the most success with cornflowers when I have been the most careless with propagation. The first time I grew them I carefully sowed the seeds watered, watched and waited. I ended up with a few straggly plants. More recently, after digging a new garden bed (with added compost) I scattered seeds in sunny patches between existing plants. A week or two later I did some weeding and mulched- and, having been almost forgotten, the seeds germinated and grew into bushy, healthy looking plants. This is because cornflower seeds actually like being disturbed- it helps them as a cue to germinate.

Cornflowers are annuals, and can be sown in spring or autumn in a full sun position. They can self seed readily, so plant away from native bush sites and areas where plants would be unwanted! The plants themselves are not the most attractive, so are best grown behind smaller annuals like poppies or cosmos. Cornflowers can grow up to 1m tall, and will flower all summer if the flowers are picked or deadheaded regularly. They are unattractive as single plants, but look amazing in mass or drift plantings. Planting with contrasting colours like pink or yellow can further accentuate the stunning blue of the flowers.

If you want to save seeds, leave a plant or two to flower freely and don’t pick or deadhead. Once the flowers are fading to white/brown cut the stems and hang upside-down with a muslin cloth or paper bag over the heads. Some seeds will drop, others you can remove by hand once the flower heads are completely dry.