How to Grow Cornflower in New Zealand
Brilliant blue cottage-garden annual with edible petals that have a mild, clove-like flavour. Draws bees and beneficial insects, and self-seeds readily. Direct sow in autumn for spring flowers in milder gardens.
When to plant cornflower in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Auckland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Waikato & BoP | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Wellington | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Canterbury | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Otago & Southland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Central Otago | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
Best cornflower varieties for NZ
- Blue Boy — Classic true-blue cottage-garden cornflower. Edible petals with a mild clove note. (Egmont Seeds, Mr Fothergill's NZ)
- Black Ball — Deep maroon-black double flowers on tall stems. Striking for cutting and drying. (Egmont Seeds, Kings Seeds)
How to grow cornflower
- Space plants about 20cm apart.
- Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 70 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 10 days.
Companion planting
Grow cornflower near: Wildflowers, Grains.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Aphids. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Cornflower plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant cornflower in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, March, April, August, September, October. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy cornflower seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Egmont Seeds, Mr Fothergill's NZ, Kings Seeds.