I found something for you that I posted earlier, but it was lost when the server went down:

"Sowing Bachelor Button Seeds

Bachelor buttons are easy to grow from seeds outdoors. Sow in spring, 1 to 2 weeks before the last expected frost, for early summer blooms. They can also be sown in fall in mild climates for early spring blooms.

Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart. The seeds need complete darkness to germinate, so make sure they are well covered. When seedlings are 1 to 2 inches tall, thin them to 6 to 8 inches apart. The first blooms appear 10 to 12 weeks after planting, and last for about a month. Successive plantings can extend the bloom period. "

(Which explains why many of the websites said they bloom all summer.)

From the link below.

Hope this helps.

Kitty

Here is a link that might be useful: Bachelor's buttons

Thanks, Kitty. Have you found the information in GardenGuides to apply to those of us gardening in the Carolinas?

The best I've ever seen is when you plant in the fall and again in the early spring. But you still don't get blooms all summer long. They hate the heat.

I usually take out my WS Bachelor Buttons in early to mid July. They start looking pretty poorly by then (if not sooner).

I had bachelor's buttons for the first time last year, but the dogs removed them for me before they started looking bad, so I don't know.
Kitty

I have grown them for the past 8 years or so. They are one of my absolute favs! Deadheading will prevent them from going to seed, which doesnt sound like something you really want to do in order to collect seed. When I grow them, I want them to go to seed ASAP so I can IMMEDIATELY sow more of them for the next crop. You can get 3 crops a year here in zone 7 NC. My first ones bloomed in early May. I already have new seedlings coming up for another crop of these beauties in July, because I sowed more a couple of weeks into May. Really, you can sow them continuously all Summer to experiment. I cant get enough of their innocent beauty. They make terrific cut flowers or as everlastings (dried) if you cut them soon after bloom. I stick them in my hair when I make a French braid. Just cut a 2 inch stem and insert into the folds of the braid in the back of your head. The ladies in the pew behind me in church last Sunday really enjoyed it! Email me to discuss if you'd care to. I love this flower.