All About Bachelor Buttons
If the name bachelor button isn’t ringing any bells, perhaps its other names basketflower, bluebottle, hurtsickle, or cornflower do. However, all of these names will connect you to the same flower, the bachelor button. There is, of course, a story behind this name. Bachelors would wear this flower if they liked someone and wanted to date them. If the flower thrived, it meant their love was reciprocated.
Description of the Bachelor Button Flower
The bachelor button is a relatively small flower in the Asteraceae family. The plant itself is actually pretty tall, growing between 16 and 35 inches, and can often be seen adoring medians and grassy walkways near roads. The flower blooms in two parts; the outside blooms are a lot larger than the interior blooms, and this helps create depth as well as colour variance. These flowers are generally found in blue, but you will also see colors like white, lavender, pink, and even black.
Uses for Bachelor Buttons
The bachelor button is a classic boutonniere flower, though it is not often used for that nowadays. More often than not, you’ll find this flower cut in arrangements during June to August when it blooms, adding a little touch of summer to any bouquet. The bachelor button is also used as a garnish on many foods, and can also be made into delicious tea.
Growing Bachelor Buttons
Bachelor buttons are fairly easy to grow. It’s best if you plant them in the spring in soil that is neutral but leaning towards alkaline. Then, as long as they get full sun and lots of water, these plants will flourish through the entire summer. If you wish to cut and keep them for bouquets and vase arrangements, clip them early in the day while the blooms are still tight to ensure you get the most life out of them.