Discover The National Flower of Germany: The Cornflower

Written by Heather Hall
Updated: August 22, 2023
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Geography of Germany

The geography of Germany is made up of varied landscapes, including expansive forests and rolling hills in the south and east and lowlands in the north and northwest. There are river valleys, such as the Rhine Valley, and high mountains, such as the Bavarian Alps. There are beautiful coastlines along two seas, The North Sea to the west and the Baltic Sea to the northeast. Germany has a temperate climate with hot summers and cold winters with plenty of precipitation. The country spans 137,847 square miles making it one of Europe’s larger countries.

Germany Map

The geography of Germany is made up of varied landscapes, including expansive forests and rolling hills in the south and east and lowlands in the north and northwest.

©Hyotographics/Shutterstock.com

People and Culture

The people of Germany are known for their hardworking and disciplined nature and their appreciation for the arts. Germans take great pride in their culture and have a long history of literature, music, architecture, and philosophy.

Germans also have a rich culinary tradition that includes hearty sausages and bread such as pretzels or brochen. You can find dumplings, like knödel or spätzle. There are also soups to enjoy, like lentil soup and split pea soup with kale sausage.

Germany is home to an abundance of delicious desserts, including the famous Black Forest Cake. This iconic cake is rich and chocolatey with layers of light whipped cream, cherries, and Kirschwasser (cherry liqueur). It’s often served as a centerpiece for special occasions like birthdays and holidays.

Beer is an important part of German culture. There are over 5300 different kinds of beer brewed in the country! The national dish is sauerbraten. Beef marinated in vinegar and spices served with dumplings. Germans also love to celebrate festivals throughout the year, including Oktoberfest, which celebrates beer-drinking traditions.

Germany River - Katz Castle

Germans take great pride in their culture and have a long history of literature, music, architecture, and philosophy.

©leoks/Shutterstock.com

Plants of Germany

Germany is home to a variety of native plants that grow wild within its borders. These include the common yarrow, daisy, dandelion, and other species like the lesser butterfly-orchid, autumn hawkbit, mouse-ear hawkweed, and wood cranesbill.

Trees such as oak and beech are also commonly found in Germany’s forests. Other shrubs like elderberry and dogwood grow along roadsides or in fields. In addition to these more common species, many rare wildflowers can only be seen in certain parts of Germany, including some carnivorous plants.

Germany is home to a variety of native plants that grow wild within its borders. These include the common yarrow.

©Starover Sibiriak/Shutterstock.com

National Flower

The national flower of Germany is the cornflower (Centaurea cyanus). The blue petals and yellow center of this beautiful flower symbolize strength, courage, and resilience. During World War I, German soldiers wore a lapel pin adorned with the cornflower to pay tribute to fallen comrades. Today, it serves as a reminder of remembrance for those lost in service to their country. The cornflower is also believed to bring good luck, making it an ideal gift for special occasions such as weddings or anniversaries.

What is a Cornflower?

A cornflower, also known as a bachelor’s button, is an annual flowering plant native to Europe and parts of Asia. It has been a symbol of German culture for centuries, with its deep blue petals adopted as the national flower in 1818. The scientific name Centaurea comes from Chiron, an immortal centaur who was said to have magical powers.

Cornflowers are incredibly hardy and can thrive even in poor soil conditions. They are self-seeding and often grow tall enough that they require staking. They attract butterflies and bees, while their vibrant color provides both contrast and beauty to any garden setting.

A cornflower, also known as a

bachelor’s button

, is an annual flowering plant native to Europe and parts of Asia.

©Alex Manders/Shutterstock.com

How to Grow

Centaurea cyanus requires full sun and moist but well-drained soil with a neutral to mildly alkaline pH. Once established in its environment, it is quite tolerant of drought conditions.

For maximum success, planting cornflower seeds should be done in late spring for summer-blooming plants. In more temperate climates, you may also choose to sow the seeds in early fall, which will result in blooms the following spring. When planting, it is recommended to keep a spacing of 8 inches between plants and to bury seeds at half an inch deep. After sowing, germination will occur quickly.

To keep your cornflowers looking their best throughout the season, they should be regularly deadheaded (removing spent blooms), which will encourage them to produce more flowers. Cornflowers are often used for ornamental purposes, and cutting them back by one-third will result in bigger stems and more blooms. It is important not to over-prune or cut too low on the stem, or you may end up with fewer flowers overall.

Cornflower

The petals of Centaurea cyanus are edible and can be consumed in many ways, whether it be raw, dried, or cooked.

©Hjochen/Shutterstock.com

Other Uses

The petals of Centaurea cyanus are edible and can be consumed in many ways, whether it be raw, dried, or cooked. Raw petals are often used to add a colorful touch to dishes, such as salads, cheeses, or oils. Dried petals are also used to garnish salads, drinks, and desserts. Additionally, the dried flowers are sometimes included in Lady Grey tea, and the blue pigment may be used as a natural additive in food products like yogurts.

History and Folklore

In folklore, the cornflower was worn by those in love. If it faded quickly, it was seen as a sign that the love was not returned. This flower became a symbol of Prussia when Queen Louise of Prussia used them to keep her children quiet while fleeing Napoleon’s forces. After Germany’s unification in 1871, it became a symbol of the entire country. It was also the favorite flower of Louise’s son, Kaiser Wilhelm I. Authors such as Theodor Fontane used the cornflower to make symbolic and sometimes sarcastic comments about the political climate. It is also linked to the German Romantic symbol of the Blue Flower and is the official symbol of the German-American Steuben Parade.

Cornflower

This flower became a symbol of Prussia when Queen Louise of Prussia used them to keep her children quiet while fleeing Napoleon’s forces.

©SvietlanaLaza/Shutterstock.com

What Animals Eat Cornflowers?

The insect species of Hymenoptera and Diptera and other pollinators like butterflies, moths, and bumblebees feed on the pollen of cornflowers. Its high sugar production makes it an attractive food source for many insects and animals. In fact, bees are so attracted to this flower that beekeepers often use it as a source of honey.

The seeds are particularly popular with European goldfinches, who love feeding on them year-round. They can also be used as bird feeders in gardens or parks. Other birds, such as finches, sparrows, tits, and thrushes, may also enjoy snacking on these tasty little kernels!

European goldfinch on a branch with yellow flowers

Cornflower seeds are particularly popular with European

goldfinches

, who love feeding on them year-round.

©godiphoto/Shutterstock.com

Wildlife of Germany

Germany is home to a wide array of wildlife, from large mammals such as Eurasian lynx and wolves to smaller species like red squirrels and stoats. Birdwatchers can spot over 400 different species of birds in the country, including hawks, eagles, woodpeckers, owls, storks, and cranes.

German forests are home to native deer, including red deer, roe deer, and fallow deer. The rivers of Germany are teeming with fish such as pike, carp, and trout. Its waters also provide habitats for otters. Reptiles and amphibians, such as snakes, lizards, and frogs, can also be spotted throughout the country.

eurasian lynx sitting in tree

Germany is home to a wide array of wildlife, including large mammals such as Eurasian

lynx

.

©iStock.com/Korbinian Mueller

What Other Flowers Grow in Germany?

In addition to the cornflower, which is Germany’s national flower, many other flowers grow in this country. Some popular ones include daisies, marigolds, lilies of the valley, pansies, poppies, and chrysanthemums. All of these blooms can be found growing in gardens and meadows throughout Germany. Other lesser-known species that have been spotted in German fields include thistles, forget-me-nots, and buttercups.

Germany is home to a variety of native tree species, some of which include the European beech, common ash, Norway spruce, silver fir, and birch trees, such as downy birch. Other less frequently encountered species, like the hornbeam, field maple, and sweet chestnut can also be found in certain areas. Germany’s temperate climate makes it ideal for growing an array of coniferous, deciduous, and evergreen varieties.

vivid red chrysanthemums

In addition to the cornflower, which is Germany’s national flower, many other flowers grow in this country, such as chrysanthemums.

©Mariia Romanyk/Shutterstock.com

Next Up

The photo featured at the top of this post is © EQRoy/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Heather Hall is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on plants and animals. Heather has been writing and editing since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, Heather enjoys hiking, gardening, and trail running through the mountains with her dogs.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is significant about the cornflower to Germans?

The national flower of Germany is the cornflower (Centaurea cyanus). The blue petals and yellow center of this beautiful flower symbolize strength, courage, and resilience. During World War I, German soldiers wore a lapel pin adorned with the cornflower to pay tribute to fallen comrades.

How do you grow cornflowers?

Centaurea cyanus requires full sun and moist but well-drained soil with a neutral to mildly alkaline pH. Once established in its environment, it is quite tolerant of drought conditions.

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