Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) is in the Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies family (Asteraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,062 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Cornflower: observations by month (U.S.)
About Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus, commonly known as cornflower or bachelor's button, is an annual flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe. In the past it often grew as a weed in cornfields (in the broad sense of "corn", referring to grains, such as wheat, barley, rye, or oats), hence its name. It is now endangered in its native habitat by agricultural intensification, particularly over-use of herbicides, destroying its habitat. It is also, however, through introduction as...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Cornflower by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 399 | May | May–Jun |
| Washington | 126 | June | May–Jul |
| Virginia | 54 | May | Apr–Jun |
| North Carolina | 53 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Kentucky | 52 | May | May–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | July | May–Jul |
| Maryland | 31 | May | May–May |
| Utah | 29 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Idaho | 21 | May | May–Aug |
| Ohio | 20 | June | May–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 19 | August | Jun–Sep |
| New Jersey | 17 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Colorado | 15 | June | May–Jun |
| Arkansas | 13 | May | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 13 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Indiana | 13 | June | May–Jun |
| New York | 13 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Georgia | 12 | April | Apr–Jun |
| Michigan | 11 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Vermont | 10 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Connecticut | 9 | June | Jun–Jul |
| District of Columbia | 9 | May | Mar–Aug |
| Mississippi | 8 | May | May–May |
| Missouri | 8 | June | May–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 7 | June | Jun–Sep |
| West Virginia | 7 | June | Jun–Jun |
| South Carolina | 6 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Alabama | 5 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Minnesota | 5 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Nevada | 5 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 5 | July | Jul–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies)
black-eyed Susan
Common Yarrow
White Snakeroot
Chicory
Lawn daisy
Philadelphia fleabane
Pearly Everlasting
Blue Mistflower
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Cornflower?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to July.
Where is Cornflower most often seen?
The most observations come from Oregon, Washington, Virginia.