Growing Perennial Bachelor Buttons In The Garden

Perennial Bachelor Buttons, also known as Centaurea Montana, are sweetly scented flowers that take me back to childhood, with fond memories of them growing along stream beds in the Newfoundland countryside. These whimsical blue flowers are reminiscent of a cottage garden, and are easily grown in any garden to enjoy.

Perennial bachelor buttons are loved for their simple beauty and effortless care, making them a favorite among gardeners. Their informal, natural appearance fits perfectly into the romantic aesthetic of a cottage garden.

These plants pair beautifully with other cottage garden favorites like lupines, daisies, and foxgloves.

In this post we will review tips for planting, caring for, and growing perennial bachelor buttons in your garden.

What Are Perennial Bachelor Buttons?

The scientific name for perennial bachelor buttons is Centaurea Montana.

Also known as Perennial Cornflower, Perennial Bachelor's Button, Mountain Cornflower, Montane Knapweed, Mountain Bluet, and Centaurea, these flowering perennials have many aliases.

Centaurea Montana is often found growing wild in Nova Scotia. They are found in meadows, along the edges of woodlands, next to old barns and elsewhere in the countryside.

These hardy perennials grow back year after year with little intervention, and also self-seed readily, ensuring new plants for many years to come.

With flowers that last from late spring to early summer, they bring color and life to the garden during a transitional time. They can also rebloom towards the end of the season as well.

Their fringed, thistle-like flowers come in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. The vivid blue variety, often called "Mountain Bluet," is particularly eye-catching.

The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, adding movement and life to the perennial garden.

The soft, silvery leaves add texture and contrast, making them stand out in the garden, even when not in bloom.

One of the things that I love about this pretty flower, besides the delicate feather-like petals, is the absolutely unique delicate sweet smell. It's unlike any other flower that I've smelled before.

As a child, I always wanted to capture and preserve the smell, to take it home with me. The sweet blue flowers however always wilted, as they were not placed in water, and never lasted long.

How To Plant Perennial Bachelor Buttons

Perennial bachelor buttons can be grown from either seed or division of mature plants.

Planting From Seeds

Seeds can be started in late winter indoors, or directly sown into a prepared garden bed in late fall, for natural stratification.

Winter sowing is also a good option for stratification.

If starting your seeds indoors:

• Consider stratifying your seeds for several weeks in the fridge before planting.

• Plant into cell trays containing a good seed starting mix, approximately ¼" deep. Cover the seeds lightly with soil or vermiculite.

• Moisten the soil by bottom watering the tray.

• Place on a heat mat until 60 % of the seeds germinate. Germination will normally occur within 2 to 3 weeks.

• Place under grow lights once germinated.

• Grow on until the new seedlings can be transplanted out in spring, after the last spring frost. You can find your last frost dates by using this calculator.

• Make sure to harden off the seedlings before transplanting out.

• Plants will not flower until the second season, as is common with most perennials.

Planting From Division

The best time to plant divisions is in early spring or fall, when the plants are not flowering.

• To propagate by root division, dig up in cooler weather, on a cloudy day if possible because this will reduce stress to the plant. Do not divide in the midday heat.

• After digging, you can soak the plant in a bucket with some cool water before division, so that the plant can rehydrate, and to help reduce potential transplant shock.

• Divide with a garden fork or sharp clean spade or knife. Divide each clump into two or three divisions.

• Replant in your new location.

• Plant the new divisions each in a prepared hole at the same depth that the plant was dug, and firm down the soil to reduce air pockets.

• Water in deeply after planting, to prevent transplant shock.

• The plant may still become a bit floppy after transplanting if slightly stressed. Keep well watered, and the plant should recover within a few days.

• Cut back the foliage before or after division by approximately two thirds. Once re-established, the plant will start to grow at the base with new shoots, once it takes hold and continues to grow.

Growing Conditions For Success

Perennial Bachelor Buttons are easy to grow with the right care.

Light Requirements

• Best if grown in full sun, but will tolerate some shade.

• Just like the annual variety, you will have better blooming if grown in full sun.

Soil Preferences

• Prefers a dry to medium well drained soil, and is tolerant of poor soil types. Thus the propensity for growing in gravel, along steams, and in wild flower meadows.

• Avoid rich fertile soils if possible.

Hardiness Zones

• Grows very well in zones 3 to 9.

• This perennial is a great choice for northern climates.

Moisture Requirements

• This plant is drought tolerant, so moisture requirements are low.

Maintenance and Care

Here are some growing tips and considerations for perennial bachelor button care, to keep these blooms looking good in the garden.

Deadheading

Deadheading faded flowers and spent blooms will make the plant look tidier and promote flowering.

You may also get a second flush of repeat blooms, although there will be less flowering for the second flush.

Removing spent blooms will also prevent reseeding, if you are trying to reduce the number of plants in your garden.

Pruning

You can prune plants back quite severely, and they will rebound by producing new growth.

Dividing

Increase your stock by dividing your plants in spring or in autumn approximately every three years or so.

This plant grows by rhizome and can easily be divided for propagation purposes.

Collecting Seeds For Propagation

If you want to grow more perennial bachelor buttons from seed, consider collecting your own seeds for planting.

Make sure that the seed heads remain on the plant until brown and dry. You will know that they are ready for harvest when the seeds fall away from the plant with a gentle brush.

Collect the seeds on a dry day. Allow them to dry for 24 hours before storing.

Place in a paper envelope, and write the name of the seeds and date of collection on the envelope.

The seeds of perennial bachelor buttons resemble those of their annual counterparts, with an appearance similar to tiny paint brushes.

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