Corn Cockle Seeds – Agrostemma githago Wildflower

Corn Cockle Seeds – Agrostemma githago

Corn Cockle Seeds produce tall, elegant stems topped with large and striking pink wildflowers from May through August. Known botanically as Agrostemma githago, this traditional cornfield annual can reach up to 1 metre tall and makes a beautiful addition to wildflower areas and traditional cornfield planting.

Once a familiar sight amongst cereal crops, Corn Cockle is now virtually extinct in the wild. Growing it in gardens and managed wildflower areas provides an opportunity to enjoy this increasingly uncommon cornfield flower.

Easy to establish on bare ground, Corn Cockle can be sown during autumn or spring. It grows successfully on most soils but performs particularly well on free-draining sandy loams.

Key Features

Traditional cornfield annual wildflower.

Known botanically as Agrostemma githago.

Produces large, striking pink flowers.

Flowers from May through August.

Tall stems reaching up to approximately 1 metre.

Can be established on most soils.

Particularly well suited to free-draining sandy loam.

How to Grow Corn Cockle Seeds

Sow Corn Cockle Seeds directly onto a bare earth site during autumn or spring.

Avoid sowing during winter or early summer, as the seed is relatively short-lived once it is in the soil.

Prepare an open area of soil and sow the seed directly where the plants are to flower.

Corn Cockle can establish successfully on most soil types but performs particularly well on free-draining sandy loams.

As Corn Cockle is an annual, it requires open ground to successfully re-establish from seed. If you want plants to return naturally in subsequent years, re-cultivate the ground during autumn to provide suitable conditions for self-sown seedlings.

Corn Cockle Growing Tips

Sow directly onto bare soil in autumn or spring.

Avoid winter and early summer sowings.

Choose free-draining soil where possible.

Allow some flowers to mature and produce seed.

Re-cultivate the ground in autumn to encourage future generations.

Maintain areas of open ground to help this annual naturally re-establish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Corn Cockle an annual?
Yes, Agrostemma githago is a cornfield annual and relies on seed to produce future generations.

How tall does Corn Cockle grow?
Plants can reach approximately 1 metre tall.

When does Corn Cockle flower?
Flowers are typically produced from May through August.

When should Corn Cockle Seeds be sown?
Sow during autumn or spring onto bare earth. Winter and early summer sowing are best avoided.

Will Corn Cockle return each year?
It can return from self-sown seed, but because it is an annual it needs areas of open ground. Autumn re-cultivation helps create suitable conditions for regeneration.

Perfect For

Cornfield wildflower displays

Wildflower gardens

Naturalistic planting

Traditional annual meadows

Cottage gardens

Open ground planting

Wildlife-friendly gardens

Native-style planting