If you’re planning your spring garden, knowing exactly when to plant bachelor buttons is the first step to a brilliant display of color. These cheerful, easy-going flowers are a classic choice for a reason, and timing your planting correctly makes all the difference.
Bachelor buttons, also known as cornflowers, are wonderfully adaptable. They can be sown directly in your garden beds or started indoors for a head start. The key is to work with your local climate and the last expected frost date. Get the timing right, and you’ll be rewarded with a long season of beautiful blooms that attract butterflies and make excellent cut flowers.
When To Plant Bachelor Button
This simple guide will walk you through the best planting times for your area and give you all the tips you need for success.
Understanding Your Planting Windows
The perfect planting time for bachelor buttons depends mostly on your climate zone and how you choose to plant them. These hardy annuals can handle a light frost, which gives you some flexibility.
There are two main avenues: direct sowing seeds straight into the garden or starting seeds indoors in trays. Each method has its ideal schedule.
For Direct Sowing Outdoors
This is the most common and often easiest method. Bachelor buttons develop long taproots and don’t always love being transplanted, so sowing them where they will grow is frequently best.
- In Spring: Sow seeds outdoors 1 to 2 weeks before your area’s average last frost date. The soil is often workable and still cool, which these seeds prefer. You can continue succession planting every two weeks until early summer for a longer bloom period.
- In Fall (for Mild Winters): In zones 7 and warmer, you can plant seeds in late fall. They will germinate, establish a root system, and then bloom extra early in the spring, often before spring-sown plants.
For Starting Seeds Indoors
If you have a very short growing season or want blooms as early as possible, starting indoors is a good option. Use biodegradable pots to minimize root disturbance.
- Start your seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected spring frost.
- Transplant the sturdy seedlings into the garden a few weeks before the last frost date, once they have several sets of true leaves.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Once you’ve picked your date, follow these simple steps for the best results.
1. Choose and Prepare the Site
Bachelor buttons are sun-lovers. Pick a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. They will tolerate partial shade but might get leggy and produce fewer flowers.
The soil should be well-draining. They are not picky about soil fertility and actually thrive in poorer soils. Too much rich soil or fertilizer can lead to lots of leaves and few blooms. Just work the soil lightly to loosen it.
2. How to Sow the Seeds
These seeds need light to germinate well, so don’t bury them to deep.
- Scatter the seeds lightly over the prepared soil.
- Gently press them into the soil surface or cover with a mere 1/8 inch of fine soil or vermiculite.
- Water the area gently with a fine mist to avoid washing the seeds away.
- Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually occurs in 7 to 10 days.
3. Thinning and Spacing
Once seedlings are a few inches tall and have their first true leaves, it’s time to thin them. This gives each plant room to grow strong.
Thin plants to stand about 6 to 12 inches apart. The spacing depends on the variety; check your seed packet. You can carefully transplant the thinned seedlings to another spot if you’re gentle.
Caring for Your Bachelor Buttons
These are low-maintenance plants, but a little care ensures a spectacular show.
Watering and Feeding
Water young plants regularly to help them establish. Once they’re growing well, bachelor buttons are quite drought-tolerant. Water them during prolonged dry spells, but avoid overwatering, which can cause root problems.
Fertilizer is rarely needed. If your soil is very poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting time is sufficient. To much nitrogen is a common mistake.
Encouraging More Blooms
To keep your plants blooming from late spring right into fall, practice deadheading. This means regularly removing the spent flowers before they go to seed.
- Simply pinch or snip off the faded flower head just below the bloom.
- This tricks the plant into producing more flowers instead of putting its energy into making seeds.
If you have a large planting, you can shear the plants back by one-third in midsummer if they start to look tired. They will often regrow and flower again for fall.
Common Questions Answered
Here are answers to some frequent questions gardeners have about growing bachelor buttons.
Can I just scatter the seeds?
Yes, scattering or “broadcasting” seeds is a valid method for bachelor buttons. Just remember to thin the seedlings later for healty plants. Raking the area lightly after scattering can help ensure good soil contact.
Will they come back every year?
Bachelor buttons are technically annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle in one year. However, they are prolific self-seeders. If you let the last flowers of the season go to seed, they will often drop and sprout new plants the following spring, giving the impression they are perennial.
What are good companion plants?
They look fantastic with other cottage garden favorites. Try planting them alongside:
- Calendula
- Shasta daisies
- Coreopsis
- Poppies
- Or even in vegetable gardens to attract pollinators.
Troubleshooting Tips
Even easy plants can have a few issues. Here’s what to watch for.
Leggy or Flopping Plants
This usually means not enough sun or overcrowding. Ensure they are in full sun and properly thinned. Staking with small supports can help if they’re already tall.
Poor or No Flowering
Excess nitrogen from fertilizer, too much shade, or overwatering are the likely culprits. Bachelor buttons bloom best with a little neglect on average to poor soil.
Powdery Mildew
In humid conditions or with poor air circulation, a white powdery fungus might appear on leaves. Space plants properly, water at the base (not overhead), and remove affected leaves. It rarely kills the plant.
Getting the timing right for when to plant bachelor buttons sets you up for a effortless and rewarding gardening experience. By following these simple guidelines for your climate, you’ll enjoy their vibrant blues, pinks, whites, and purples for months. Their simple charm and resilience make them a perfect centerpiece for any spring garden that just keeps giving.
FAQ Section
What month is best for planting bachelor button seeds?
In most regions, early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked, is ideal. This is often March to May, depending on your last frost date. Fall planting is an option in warmer zones.
Can I plant bachelor buttons in the summer?
You can, but they prefer cooler weather. Summer-sown plants may struggle with heat and require more water. For best results, aim for spring or fall planting.
How long do bachelor buttons take to grow from seed?
They germinate quickly, often in under 10 days. You can typically expect to see the first flowers about 60 to 70 days after sowing the seeds, sometimes sooner.
Do bachelor buttons need full sun?
Yes, they perform best and stay most compact with at least 6 hours of direct sun. They can handle some afternoon shade in very hot climates, but may not flower as heavily.
Are bachelor buttons the same as cornflowers?
Yes, they are the same plant. The botanical name is Centaurea cyanus. “Bachelor’s button” and “cornflower” are common names used interchangeably.