Corncockle Native Wildflower Seed

AGROSTEMMA GITHAGO

Corncockle is tall, elegant, and a little bit dangerous. Soft purple pink flowers, slender stems, and the kind of romantic cornfield beauty that looks like it has wandered out of an old oil painting.

Once common in arable fields, Corncockle is now much rarer in the wild. It has a long history alongside traditional farming, but there is a twist. The seeds are poisonous, which gave this beautiful plant a slightly darker reputation. Very gothic. Very countryside drama.

Grow it for its charm, its height, its pollinator value, and its old cornfield soul. Just do not eat it, and keep it sensible around pets and children.

Corncockle needs bare soil, sunshine, and low competition. It is an annual, so it can flower in the same year from a spring sowing.

Rip - Clear weeds, grass, and debris. Rake the soil so you have a loose, open surface.

Scatter - Scatter the seed thinly across the soil. Give it some space, as Corncockle grows tall.

Sow - Press the seed into the soil surface, or cover very lightly with soil.

When to sow - For best results sow from March to May for flowers in the same year. You can also sow from August to November for stronger plants the following year.

Where to sow - Choose a sunny spot with open, free draining soil and low competition. Corncockle works beautifully in annual wildflower patches, borders, and cornfield style planting.

After sowing, keep the soil lightly moist while the seeds get going.

Once you can see green shoots, keep thick grass and big weeds away. Corncockle does not need feeding and does not want rich, over pampered soil.

If seedlings come up too close together, gently pull a few out so the strongest ones have room. Because the seeds are poisonous, avoid planting where young children or pets are likely to nibble seed heads.

Corncockle usually flowers from June to August, producing tall, graceful stems with purple pink flowers.

It typically grows around 60 to 100 cm tall, giving height,
movement, and classic cornfield drama.

It is an annual, so it flowers and sets seed in one season. The flowers are loved by pollinators, and the whole plant brings a romantic wild edge to the garden. Beautiful, old fashioned, and just dangerous enough to keep things interesting.

Yes, Corncockle can grow in pots, but choose a decent sized container because it grows tall.

Use a medium to large pot, ideally at least 30 cm wide, with
drainage holes. Fill it with peat free, low nutrient compost mixed with sharp sand or grit to keep it free draining. Avoid rich compost. Wildflowers are not here for the luxury spa treatment.

Scatter the seed thinly, press it in, and place the pot in full sun. Keep lightly moist while the seeds get going. Once growing, water when the compost starts to dry out. A sheltered spot can help stop tall stems getting battered by wind.

We want your seeds to grow. If you follow our sowing instructions, give them a fair chance, and they still do not grow, we’ll put it right.

Eligible customers can choose either a refund for the seeds that did not grow, or replacement seeds of the same value.

For more information on our policy go to our No Grow No Fee page.