Corncockle

Description

Corncockle. Agrostemma githago.

A non-native to Ireland annual flower. A real beauty in a cottage garden flower bed growing up to 90cms tall. Attractive to bees with it’s open flower and black nectar guide lines along its five beautiful cerise coloured petals. Foliage is soft and slightly furry giving a lovely silvery appearance. Flowers from June to September giving out large seeds in upright pods at the end of the season that are easy to collect and clean for next year.
This seed was grown on land classed as being in organic conversion, and from seed that was grown with no chemical input.

How to grow:
Sow seeds in March in large modules and transplant out when around 8cms tall after hardening off. Or sow outside in situ in April in a weed free seed bed and thin to about 8cms x 8cms for a tight colourful display.

Problem solving:
Likes full sun. Protect young seedlings and plants from slugs.

Ways to use them:
For display and to feed insects only. All parts of this plant are toxic. Has been used in traditional medicines in the past.

Cultural history:
Native to Europe but not to Ireland, it is thought to have been native on the island of Britain, but farming practices made it all but extinct there, there was some conservation work done and it has revived in gardens.

Avg contents: 65 seeds.