Agrostemma githago

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corncockle

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corncockle RHS 2002
corncockle RHS / Joanna Kossak
corncockle RHS / Joanna Kossak

Other common names

bastard nigella, corn cockle, corn pink, gith, joy of love, little and pretty, bulwg yr ŷd

Synonyms

Agrostemma nicaeense

Plants for pollinators
Annual Biennial
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A branching, upright annual about 60-90cm tall, with narrow grey-green leaves to 8cm long, and open funnel-shaped magenta-purple flowers 5cm across, produced in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Human/Pets (dogs, poultry): Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Agrostemma are upright annuals with narrow, opposite leaves and solitary, 5-petalled, open trumpet-shaped flowers with long calyx lobes showing between the petals
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SE Europe to Iran

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor, well-drained soil in full sun. Lax growth needs to be staked. Flowers are suitable for cutting and are attractive to bees

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in-situ, self-seeds prolifically

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering. Cut back after flowering is finished

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease- free