Thanks Gardengal!

i think they are biennial ... make sure yours are .. or plan to replace them ... or reseed them.. etc ..

ken

Thanks Ken,

I read up on them and probably aren't going to put them in. I have been searching for a taller flower to add to my Shasta Daisies. I want something that flowers at the same time they do so was looking in my neighbors yards.

I am now researching Centaurea cyanus cornflower Blue Diadem. So if anyone has input on this I would love to hear about it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Centaurea+cyanus+cornflower+Blue+Diadem&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwj7yaGa-LHqAhUPX60KHW46BBYQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=Centaurea+cyanus+cornflower+Blue+Diadem&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1DwdVjDwAFgg8oBaAVwAHgAgAFRiAGJCZIBAjE5mAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&sclient=img&ei=W5f_XruwII--tQXu9JCwAQ&bih=722&biw=1536&client=firefox-b-1-d

Centaurea cyanus would not be much taller than the shastas. Nothing like as impressive as hollyhocks. And they’re annuals so you’d have to sow every year?

Thanks Floral!

If they are a good size match with the Shastas that would be perfect. I had larkspur there but pulled it due to its toxic effect on dogs.

Looks like Centaurea cyanus Blue Diadem is completely non-toxic and the color I am looking for. The hollyhocks are gorgeous flowers but it sounded like they can give some people a rash and my dog loves to wander through thick flowers so I didn't want him to have a reaction and then I end up wondering why.

I think they are supposed to self seed. At least that is what I'm hoping. If they don't then they will only be here one year. :-) I just put in an order for them so they are on their way at the end of July. I hope they don't cook in their delivery box.

I love cornflower but it never stays very long for me. If you like the look of them you might try the other Centaurea, Centaurea Montana. Much more reliable, IMO.

Also depends a bit on how tall your shasta daisies are. For some reason, mine are very very tall, like over 3'. I did just buy this other blue flower this year, a pincushion flower but it's a really tall one called Fama Blue. I got it in Longmont at Flower Bin and the butterflies were going nuts over it.

Bachelor Buttons (as I have always known them) do self seed quite prolifically if not deadheaded. Mine this year were not as tall as the shasta daisies. The reseeded ones bloomed first, are almost done blooming, and the daisies are just starting to bloom.

The blue delphiniums are gorgeous, too, and are quite tall - in my neighbor's yard.

I have never been able to keep the regular bachelor buttons...I have tried. Just my rotten luck I guess. On the other hand, I couldn't get rid of centaurea montana. I dug it up at least 3 times. It always stayed in only one place but I guess the roots were persistent.

I am hopeful about this very tall pincushion flower. It was so gorgeous this year. But many plants play that same trick on me!

Looks like they may be shipping in a heat wave so I may receive a box of dead ones. As it gets closer to July 20th I'll see if they will delay the shipment if the weather is still too hot.