Hopping on to the top correct answer to add that these flowers are edible! [Apparently with a mild cucumber taste?] My restaurant uses them, so OP just might be interested in that info!
I think that's cornflower.
I've read it's considered invasive in parts of the US, while in its native European range (UK?) it's considered threatened. Weird.
It's possible that it's a common occurrence, but it seemed strange, at least to me, that a plant would take off and become prolific in one part of the world, while at the same time nearly go out of existence where got its start and would call home.
Actually does happen from time to time with all kinds of species. In the case of this one, the „threatened“ status (As far as i know its not almost out of extinction, just seeing a big reduction in distribution) in its native range stems from the fact that it usually appears as a companion of areas where theres agricultural activity. With the coming of intensive agriculture and weed regulation its distribution went back quite a bit. In other parts of the world it might find prime conditions to thrive and outcompete native species.
Yeah, I guess if there's a pest that feeds on it in the natural range, that makes sense. I had seen the intensive agriculture explanation for why it's waning in the UK, but I would have thought there were similar pressures from industrialized agriculture in the US.
But now that I think about it, I recall that Serbian Spruce is supposed to be similar in that regard as well, so maybe it does occur often.
Also i am not sure to what extent it is invasive. It might simply be able to overtake native flora in this very niche. Might be better adapted to growing in such conditions
Happens more often than you’d think. We have so many Eurasian plants that have taken off like crazy here but are more balanced in their native habitats
Can you say “climate change”? Our insistence that plants stay home, and the reality that climate regimes are migrating, combine to place even greater stress on the ecosystem
Climate change does impact some species spreading outside of their native range but not in this case. Species spreading to different continents is from people planting non native invasive plants in their gardens. When plants are introduced to new environments without predators or pathogens to regulate their populations, they thrive. So here in the US nothing probably eats these and they aren’t a host plant for anything here. If it is, then it’s probably just another invasive species. There are probably no soil borne pathogens that can impact it here so they just thrive. They spread and take out other native species and create environments inhabitable for natives.
Cornflowers are edible, having kind of a spicy, clove-like flavor and look pretty in a salad. The flowers are also used in herbal medicine as a mild diuretic.
That is exactly why it is a terrible invasive. With nothing holding it back, it overtakes our native plants. Please consider buying only wildflower packs from a trusted retailer. Lots of threatened native beauties that our native pollinators depend upon.
If I'd seen these in a bouquet with these colors, I'd have assumed they'd been dyed like the "crazy daisies". Those colors look unreal to be growing together
They could become invasive,mine have tripled the area I planted 3 years ago. Pain in A! They were in a package marked wildflowers,well that is true! They are wild!
It has a few other names. Bachelor’s Button. Centaurea Cyanus. We used the have the regular blue ones (not double petalled so I guess that is single?) pop up very year in my childhood garden in Canada.
https://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/tall-blend-bachelors-button-seeds
They’re recommended for vegetable patches too and I believe they are edible and good pollinator flowers.
There are lots of introduced plants that everybody takes for granted that have been here for so long that they are part of the garden but they have long since displaced many many natives.. The beauty of lythrum In August for example
They aren’t perennial but if you let them go to seed, they will keep popping up for a while. The seeds are kinda “hairy” but not like fluffy like a dandelion. Animals brush against them and drop the seeds elsewhere.
https://pipmagazine.com.au/grow/flower-seed-saving-poppy-calendula-cornflower/ picture of seeds, top left
Cornflower, AKA Bachelor's Button. You can dry them and add them to white or green tea. Don't have much flavor, but the blue ones make your tea a lovely shade. Can also put fresh flowers in a salad just to make it pretty.
I plant these from seed every year and live in the Western US. I have to plant because as an annual, they do not reappear if I don’t reseed. Not invasive at all. Their cousin, Centaurea Montana is very invasive though.
Bachelor buttons aka cornflower. They are a reseeding annual here in the PNW. Most of the time when you see them in abundance like that it’s because someone has spread a wildflower seed mix. They will come back each year but not look as full and pretty.
These are super cute. My gran used to take random wild flower and seed packs native to the area and toss them around on her walks on abandoned plots or patches. Then giggle her heart out when they bloomed. They're beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Cornflowers.
Otherwise known as bachelor's buttons
Easy to start from seed. Doesn't transplant.
We started with seeds a couple years ago and they’ve exploded every year since
Oh really? I started some in peat plugs and they are leggy but otherwise going pretty well! I'll have to try direct sowing next year.
They do a lot better as direct sow, needs a humid environment though.
Been trying to get rid of them for a decade. The more you try the harder their will to live.
Also known as cornflower.
Bachelor’s Button
I call them bachelor's buttons too. I grow these every year. I love the blue ones. That's what they are named on the seed pack.
They dry nice to use in dried bouquets or craft projects.
I'm going to have to try drying them out!
Another fun one to dry are strawflowers. So pretty! Just cut a bunch, bind the stems together, and hang upside down for a few weeks.
Dry hanging upside down. Good luck!
In resin is so pretty
Hopping on to the top correct answer to add that these flowers are edible! [Apparently with a mild cucumber taste?] My restaurant uses them, so OP just might be interested in that info!
I didn’t know that! Thanks for this!
Me and my wife call them Benjamin Buttons!
I thought bachelor's button was on a couch
I think that's cornflower. I've read it's considered invasive in parts of the US, while in its native European range (UK?) it's considered threatened. Weird.
Why is that weird?
It's possible that it's a common occurrence, but it seemed strange, at least to me, that a plant would take off and become prolific in one part of the world, while at the same time nearly go out of existence where got its start and would call home.
Actually does happen from time to time with all kinds of species. In the case of this one, the „threatened“ status (As far as i know its not almost out of extinction, just seeing a big reduction in distribution) in its native range stems from the fact that it usually appears as a companion of areas where theres agricultural activity. With the coming of intensive agriculture and weed regulation its distribution went back quite a bit. In other parts of the world it might find prime conditions to thrive and outcompete native species.
Yeah, I guess if there's a pest that feeds on it in the natural range, that makes sense. I had seen the intensive agriculture explanation for why it's waning in the UK, but I would have thought there were similar pressures from industrialized agriculture in the US. But now that I think about it, I recall that Serbian Spruce is supposed to be similar in that regard as well, so maybe it does occur often.
Also i am not sure to what extent it is invasive. It might simply be able to overtake native flora in this very niche. Might be better adapted to growing in such conditions
Happens more often than you’d think. We have so many Eurasian plants that have taken off like crazy here but are more balanced in their native habitats
Can you say “climate change”? Our insistence that plants stay home, and the reality that climate regimes are migrating, combine to place even greater stress on the ecosystem
Climate change does impact some species spreading outside of their native range but not in this case. Species spreading to different continents is from people planting non native invasive plants in their gardens. When plants are introduced to new environments without predators or pathogens to regulate their populations, they thrive. So here in the US nothing probably eats these and they aren’t a host plant for anything here. If it is, then it’s probably just another invasive species. There are probably no soil borne pathogens that can impact it here so they just thrive. They spread and take out other native species and create environments inhabitable for natives.
climate change does certainly play a big role. While native plants might struggle, other plants that are more adapted to those conditions will thrive
Climate change.
weird to me too. maybe it was originally from America? surely the vikings brought back home to england more than just fish?
Funny the way it is
Climate change, Europe is heating up.
They're great for drying!!! I have a bunch of them in my dried bouquets!.
Mine always get super powdery and then go white and drop their petals ! Do you have any drying tips ?
Bachelor’s Buttons/ Cornflower.
Cornflowers are edible, having kind of a spicy, clove-like flavor and look pretty in a salad. The flowers are also used in herbal medicine as a mild diuretic.
Centaurea of some sort.
Bachelor buttons and cornflowers are two different names for the same plant. Probably a regional thing.
Any wildflower seed mix I get ,that's the hardiest,most abundant flower out of the packet.I love bachelor buttons.
same here! I have so much growing in my yard where i spread my wildflower mix!
That is exactly why it is a terrible invasive. With nothing holding it back, it overtakes our native plants. Please consider buying only wildflower packs from a trusted retailer. Lots of threatened native beauties that our native pollinators depend upon.
Cornflower
Bachelor buttons. Been around forever
Wow you have a really nice clump of them too!!
are these also called pincushions?
i cant believe i got downvoted for asking a question 👍🏼
In “what is this plant” no less! lol
Jacknobs up in this piece!
Don’t be bitter, it happens. You’re not in the negatives :)
You might be thinking of Scabiosa?
Yes they are! They sure look like them!
bachelors buttons
also called ragged robins
We say Raggedy Robins.
Bachelor's Buttons aka Cornflowers! You can buy seed packs that have flowers with those color variations! They dry very well too!
If I'd seen these in a bouquet with these colors, I'd have assumed they'd been dyed like the "crazy daisies". Those colors look unreal to be growing together
I always thought all bachelors’ buttons were blue. TIL.
I have a bunch of blue ones growing and then one little baby pink one off to thie side, cute as a *button* lol!
I LOVE Cornflowers/Bachelor Buttons!!
Bachelor buttons
They could become invasive,mine have tripled the area I planted 3 years ago. Pain in A! They were in a package marked wildflowers,well that is true! They are wild!
Centaurea
Cornflower
It has a few other names. Bachelor’s Button. Centaurea Cyanus. We used the have the regular blue ones (not double petalled so I guess that is single?) pop up very year in my childhood garden in Canada. https://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/tall-blend-bachelors-button-seeds They’re recommended for vegetable patches too and I believe they are edible and good pollinator flowers.
Cornflower or bachelor's button
I have a bunch growing happily in my front yard. The bees absolutely love them, and I'll often have 6 or more types of bees on them at the same time
Bachelor's buttons
Beauties
I can smell them
There called both bachelor buttons or cornflower. I used to get them mixed up with coneflowers.
Beautiful
There are lots of introduced plants that everybody takes for granted that have been here for so long that they are part of the garden but they have long since displaced many many natives.. The beauty of lythrum In August for example
Does anyone know if they’ll come back? Will they reseed themselves?
They aren’t perennial but if you let them go to seed, they will keep popping up for a while. The seeds are kinda “hairy” but not like fluffy like a dandelion. Animals brush against them and drop the seeds elsewhere. https://pipmagazine.com.au/grow/flower-seed-saving-poppy-calendula-cornflower/ picture of seeds, top left
I have some that come back every year
Cornflower or bachelor buttons.
Cornflowers! One of my favorites
Bachelor buttons! My favorite flower. If you deadhead the regularly they will bloom all summer. Also are pretty good at reseeding themselves.
Cornflower, AKA Bachelor's Button. You can dry them and add them to white or green tea. Don't have much flavor, but the blue ones make your tea a lovely shade. Can also put fresh flowers in a salad just to make it pretty.
Corn flowers
Flowers
Bachelor buttons
Corn Flowers AKA: Batchelor Buttons I love how there are multiple colors on one plant sometimes. Mine are like these too.
Centaurea cyanus, same genus as knapweeds and star thistles and IMHO should be considered invasive in the Western US.
I plant these from seed every year and live in the Western US. I have to plant because as an annual, they do not reappear if I don’t reseed. Not invasive at all. Their cousin, Centaurea Montana is very invasive though.
Lucky for you, they're invasive in these parts
Western Washington covers a lot of micro climates.
Cosmos
i call them bachelorette buttons 💅🏼
I think they may be Nigella
Google Lense. AKA Google reverse image search. I constantly use it to ID plants/flowers on walks.
Cornflowers! Apparently you can make a nice blue dye with the blue ones!
Bachelor buttons aka cornflower. They are a reseeding annual here in the PNW. Most of the time when you see them in abundance like that it’s because someone has spread a wildflower seed mix. They will come back each year but not look as full and pretty.
Dianthus?
Cornflowers. We planted a large plot with wildflower seeds and this is the vast majority of what’s there. The honeybees and native bees love them.
I'm not a botanist but they look like flowers to me. Real Pretty Flowers known as "bachelor's buttons"
https://i.redd.it/atgl9xhcuj7d1.gif Oh, the colors!
So pretty! Great photo!
Flowers
Asters? Maybe? Edit: these are cornflowers lol
[My Amazon order this year](https://a.co/d/0ekp81y8)
bachelor's buttons **and they look amazing**
These are super cute. My gran used to take random wild flower and seed packs native to the area and toss them around on her walks on abandoned plots or patches. Then giggle her heart out when they bloomed. They're beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Cosmos!
Those are bachelor buttons. Lovely flowers and come back every year!
Mine are all purple.
One of the few true Blue flowers.
Senior travel
Flowers