The Cornflower: Beauty, Flavor, and History All in One Flower

The cornflower, also known as the Bachelor’s Button, is an herb native to Europe. It once grew as a weed in cornfields and derived its name from this habit. Now, it is grown as an ornamental flower in gardens and is a popular choice for floral arrangements. It is also a delicious addition to many recipes.

As you read this, you can learn the following:

• General Characteristics
• History of the Cornflower
• Symbolism
• Cornflowers in Art
• Planting and Care
• Medicinal and Culinary Uses

General Characteristics

The cornflower in maturity stands 1 to 3 feet tall. It is a multi-stemmed plant that produces many flowers. The blue-grey colors of the leaves are due to the small white hairs which cover the surface. Originally, the flower only produced blue flowers. Now it comes in pink, white, red, and purple.

The plant blooms from March until May.

History of the Cornflower

The plant is named after the mythological Greek centaur, Chiron, who shared his knowledge of herbs with humans. It has been said that cornflowers were used to heal a wound to Achilles caused by a poisoned arrow.

In ancient Egypt, reproductions depicted cornflowers dating back to the Stone and Bronze Age. The archaeologist, Howard Carter, found wreaths and garland made of cornflowers in the tomb of King Tutankh-Amun. Because the cornflower blooms in March and April, experts can determine the time of year King Tutankh-Amun was buried.

The art of the Middle Ages displays many paintings and decorative uses of cornflowers. An example can be found on the ceiling of St. Michael’s church in Northern Bavaria.

Symbolism

The cornflower used to be worn by men on the lapel of their jacket to show that they were single and had an interest in a specific woman. It was believed that if the flower faded too quickly it was a sign that a woman’s interest in him was not mutual.

English maidens wore the cornflower as a sign they were eligible for marriage. If the girl concealed the cornflower under her apron she had her choice of bachelors.

Through a series of events, the cornflower is also the National flower of Germany. The story originates from the time when Napoleon’s army pursued Queen Louise of Prussia out of Berlin. To protect her children she concealed them in a field of cornflowers. In order to distract them and keep them quiet, she made wreaths from the flowers. Since then, the flower has become associated with Prussia. In 1871, the year of Germany’s unification, Wilhelm, son of Queen Louise, honored his mother when he made the cornflower the symbol of unity.

Today, the cornflower symbolizes remembrance, anticipation, fertility, wealth, prosperity, love and the future.

Cornflowers in Art

Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch painter from the Baroque period. His favorite color was a hue obtained from the extract of lapis lazuli. The original color was ultramarine but once mixed and customized by Vermeer, it became known as cornflower blue. This color is seen throughout the majority of his works.

Other artists have not only used the same pigment but have featured actual cornflowers in their work. Vincent Van Gough painted many compositions with cornflowers two of which are, “Vase with Cornflowers and Poppies” and “Wheatfield with Cornflowers.” Along with Van Gough, Mattise and Agnes Martin featured cornflowers in their work.

Planting and Care

Choose a location in your garden that has full sun. Because this plant grows upright, it is a good choice for areas with little space. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other insects. Once you have a location here is the process to plant:

• Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the rootball. Place the plant in the hole and deep enough so that the base of the leaves is level with the soil. Any additional plants need to be at least 7 inches apart.
• If your soil is predominantly clay or is sandy, a little extra care is needed. Mix organic material with the soil that had been removed when digging and use the new mixture to fill in around the new plant.
• Mulch around the plant with bark to keep the soil moist and to prevent the root system from getting too much sun.
• Water frequently

In mid to late summer, harvest the cornflower plants to use as cut flowers. Dry the flowers and use them in fall arrangements throughout the season.

Medicinal and Culinary Uses

The cornflower is an edible flower with a spicy, clove-like flavor. It can be used as a decorative touch on cakes, in elaborate drinks, infused in alcohol (such as vodka), and as an extra color in salads. Cornflowers are full of extra nutrients such as folate, vitamin C, biotin, calcium, and flavones.

The cornflower can also be used as a tea. The properties in the tea have been used for reducing fevers, constipation, water retention, and chest congestion.
You can add cornflowers to your recipes with ones grown right in your garden. Harvest the flowers in the morning because the sun and heat have not diminished the water in the plant. Only use flowers that are pesticide-free or were treated with a pesticide labeled safe to use on food products. Always read the pesticide label for information on harvesting. Also, never consume flowers from roadsides, nurseries, or from florists.
Once cut remove the petals from the flower. Discard the pistils and stamens. Separate the petals and set aside. Don’t add the petals while you are preparing the dish, but wait until the very end. Adding the petals at the end helps retain the color and texture of the petals.

The flavor of the petals change according to growing conditions and from season to season.

Cornflowers are a versatile addition to any garden. They not only add a bright hue to your landscape but are a great addition to any floral arrangement in the home. In addition to being pleasing to the eye, cornflowers are a delicacy to the palate. You can’t go wrong planting cornflowers in your garden.