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Native Plant Alternatives to Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower)

Native Plants, Invasive Plants, Centaurea cyanus, Cornflower, Witches' Bells, Ragged Robin, Happy Skies, Haw Dods, Hurtsickle, French Pink, Brushes, Bunk, Blue Tops, Bluets, Blue Bow, Blue Poppy, Blue Bonnets,

Centaurea cyanus, commonly known as cornflower or bachelor’s button, is a flowering plant native to Europe. Known for its vibrant blue flowers, it’s widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and used in floral arrangements.

In some regions outside its native range, Centaurea cyanus can naturalize, meaning it’s capable of growing and reproducing outside of cultivation.

Cornflower is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.

Guide Information

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Plant Type Annuals
Genus Centaurea
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Native Plants United States

U.S. Native Plant Alternatives to Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower)

Aster azureus (Sky Blue Aster)
Aster ericoides (Heath Aster)
Camassia cusickii (Cusick’s Camass)
Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii Caerulea Group (Camas)
Camassia quamash (Camas)
Camassia scilloides (Wild Hyacinth)
Campanula rotundifolia (Bluebell)
Delphinium tricorne (Dwarf Larkspur)
Erigeron speciosus (Showy Fleabane)
Linum lewisii (Prairie Flax)
Penstemon cobaea (Prairie Beardtongue)
Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue)
Penstemon grandiflorus (Large Beardtongue)
Penstemon mensarum (Grand Mesa Beardtongue)
Penstemon pinifolius (Pine-needle Beardtongue)
Penstemon spectabilis (Showy Beardtongue)
Penstemon strictus (Rocky Mountain Beardtongue)
Symphyotrichum cordifolium (Blue Wood Aster)
Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Aster)
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. horizontale (Horizontal Calico Aster)
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (Aromatic Aster)
Symphyotrichum turbinellum (Smooth Violet Prairie Aster )

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Plant Type Annuals
Genus Centaurea
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Native Plants United States
Compare All Centaurea
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Centaurea
Guides with
Centaurea
Guides with
United States

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