Knapweed

There are several hundred species of knapweeds. They are often better known under the name of cornflower. Its flower can be blue or pink. It is a very useful plant in the vegetable garden and to maintain biodiversity. It belongs to the Asteraceae family. These flowers are edible and can be used to color foods such as ice cream. The flowers are also used to garnish a salad. There are varieties of annual knapweeds, but also perennials. Among the most known varieties: Centaury of America, the Cornflower, the Imperial Centaury. It is a very simple plant to grow in the garden.

You can sow annual knapweeds from March onwards either in the ground or in pots. For the perennial blueberries, you can do it in autumn or spring. These plants particularly appreciate sunny exposures. It is not demanding, it will bloom very well in an ordinary, chalky and fresh but well drained soil.

You will not have particular care to bring except to thin out at the time of the lifting of the seedlings. No pruning is necessary. If you do not always have the possibility to water, then you can put a mulch at the foot of the plants, it will keep the soil cool. If you want the plant to bloom again, you will have to cut back the plant to encourage a new bloom. It can bloom from the end of May to October.