May Plant of the Month

A perennial cornflower, this is a lovely easy plant for late spring and early summer, with soft pink flowers above a mound of soft, slightly furry leaves. Attractive to bees and butterflies, the flowers are also suitable for cutting. It forms a mound about 45cm high and wide and likes sun or part shade.

I find the leaves can get mildew in warm summers but, when that happens, I cut back the unsightly foliage, give the plant a drink and usually it isn’t long before fresh foliage appears.