Corncockle Seeds (Agrostemma githago)
Once found in every cornfield in Britain, the Corncockle is now a rare beauty. It produces large, open trumpets in a glowing shade of magenta-purple, fading to a white centre speckled with delicate black guide lines.
The petals have a unique, silky texture that catches the light beautifully. Standing tall on slender, grey-green stems, the flowers dance and sway in the slightest breeze. It is the perfect choice for a wildflower meadow, a cottage garden border, or simply for anyone who wants to bring the magic of the countryside into their own backyard.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Corncockle is a Hardy Annual.
It germinates, flowers, sets seed, and dies in one year. It is a "cool season" flower, meaning it establishes best in the cooler soil of autumn or early spring.
The "Weaving" Habit: Agrostemma has tall, thin, wiry stems (up to 90cm). It isn't designed to stand alone; in nature, it grows up through wheat and barley. In the garden, it looks best planted in groups or amongst grasses so the plants can support each other.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
This plant has a deep taproot and hates being transplanted. Direct sowing is the only way.
Germination:
Sow directly outdoors in Autumn (Sept) for taller, earlier plants, or Spring (March-May). Scatter seeds onto raked soil and cover with 1cm of soil. Germination is rapid (7-14 days).
Where to Sow:
They need **full sun**. They are not fussy about soil pH but prefer it to be well-drained. They are tough plants that can handle poor soil easily.
Care While Growing:
Support: Because the stems are slender, plant them close together (about 15-20cm apart) so they knit together and self-support. If growing in a windy spot, some twiggy sticks will help keep them upright.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Agrostemma githago |
| Common Name | Common Corncockle |
| Hardiness | H7 (Very Hardy - to -20°C) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 75cm - 90cm (Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 20cm apart |
| Great for | 🐝 Pollinators 🌾 Meadow Style 🏡 Cottage Gardens 🍂 Naturalising |
| Seed Count | Approx. 50 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Recreate a traditional cornfield meadow with these classic partners:
- 🌼 Corn Marigold: The Golden Contrast. The bright yellow of the Marigold makes the purple-magenta of the Corncockle vibrate with intensity. It’s a cheerful, high-energy mix.
- 🔵 Cornflower 'Blue Ball': The Best Friend. Cornflowers and Corncockles have grown together for centuries. Their colours (Royal Blue and Magenta) and heights are perfectly matched.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow outdoors in autumn or spring. Flowers mid-summer.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Outdoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Unlike Cornflowers, all parts of the Corncockle plant (especially the seeds) are poisonous if ingested. Please wash hands after handling seeds and take care in gardens with pets that are prone to chewing plants.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Agrostemma is a biodiversity hero. It is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, producing high-quality nectar that is easily accessible to bees and butterflies.
- Regular price
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£2.20 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£2.20
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