Start These 7 Gorgeous Spring Flowers from Seed Today!

6. Bachelor’s Buttons (Cornflowers)

A photo of a cottage garden filled with Bachelor's Buttons (Cornflowers) in full bloom. The flowers are a deep blue hue and are arranged in clusters at the end of tall, thin stems. The garden is surrounded by a white picket fence and is filled with other flowers, including daisies, roses, and lavender. There are also green leaves and stems in the foreground, as well as a few rocks. The background contains a building with a red roof. The overall image has a soft focus and warm lighting.

A Cottage Garden Classic

I’ll never forget the first time I grew Bachelor’s Buttons in my garden! These charming old-fashioned flowers have become my go-to for adding that perfect touch of whimsy to any garden space. After growing them for over 15 years, I can tell you they’re absolutely foolproof – and that’s coming from someone who managed to kill air plants (yes, really!).

Cornflowers, as they’re also known, produce the most incredible true blue blooms I’ve ever seen in a garden. You simply can’t find this shade of blue in many other flowers, which makes them extra special. They typically grow between 1-3 feet tall, and trust me, they’ll surprise you with how quickly they shoot up!

Drought Tolerance and Care

Here’s something that blew my mind: these beauties actually prefer things on the dry side! During the brutal drought of 2018, when most of my garden looked like a desert landscape, my Bachelor’s Buttons were living their best life. They’re incredibly drought-tolerant once established, which makes them perfect for those of us who occasionally forget to water (guilty as charged!).

Self-Seeding Magic

One of the most delightful surprises about Bachelor’s Buttons is their self-seeding capability. The first year I planted them, I had no idea what was in store. Come next spring, I had little blue surprises popping up all over my garden! Just remember to let some flowers go to seed at the end of the season – nature will do the rest.

Cut Flower Tips

As a cut flower, these gems are absolutely outstanding. I’ve found they can last up to 7-10 days in a vase if you follow these simple steps:

Cut stems early in the morning
Remove all foliage below the water line
Change water every 2-3 days
Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the water

Wildlife Benefits

The pollinators absolutely go crazy for these flowers! I’ve counted up to five different species of butterflies on my Bachelor’s Button patch at once. It’s like having your own personal wildlife sanctuary. Bees, especially native bees, are particularly fond of the nectar-rich blooms.

Want to know the best part? These flowers are also edible and make beautiful garnishes for summer salads and cocktails. Just make sure you’re growing them organically if you plan to eat them!

Ready to discover another amazing spring flower that will transform your garden? Click the next button below to learn all about California Poppies – those stunning golden beauties that practically glow in the sunlight. Trust me, you won’t want to miss my epic fail story about trying to transplant them (spoiler alert: they really, really don’t like it!).