Annual · Asteraceae family
Batchelor's-Button
Centaurea cyanus
In short a 10-second read
Batchelor's-Button (annual) grows to 0.3–0.9 m tall and 0.3–0.6 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. It flowers in May–July; the flowers are blue, pink or white.
× spread 0.3–0.6 m
Where to plant
Sun and soil.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, sandy
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
May–July · blue, pink or white
Pruning
deadhead spent flowers (June–August)
Planting
direct sowing: March–May
Winter protection
does not overwinter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Batchelor's-Button flower?
In May–July; the flowers are blue, pink or white.
Does Batchelor's-Button tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Batchelor's-Button need?
At maturity 0.3–0.6 m wide and 0.3–0.9 m tall; recommended spacing 25 cm.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 16 expert sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (16)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Centaurea cyanus
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Centaurea cyanus
- GBIF Vernacular Names API — Centaurea cyanus
- Wikidata (CC0) — Centaurea cyanus
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Centaurea cyanus
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — centaurea cyanus
- Pladias — Databáza českej flóry a vegetácie
- RHS - Grow it: cornflower
- RHS - How to grow annuals and biennials
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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