In our new Seed Celebration Box we are shining the spotlight on Corncockle.
The Corncockle (Agrostemma githago) is a much-loved star of the pictorial meadow and a firm favourite with nature enthusiasts and gardeners. Corncockle is in the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae if you like your Latin names) which includes flower species like carnations and campion. Our very own Wildflower Collective logo is of the Red campion flower, the close relative so Corncockle and so it holds a place in our hearts and was the perfect candidate for our first Seed Celebration Box.
Corncockle have slender magenta-pink blooms up to 5m in diameter, bordered by long, green spikey structures underneath their flower heads (called ‘sepals’). Corncockle is known as a cornfield annual, historically associated with wheat fields along with flowers like Poppies, Corn chamomile, Corn marigold and Cornflower. The plants themselves can be up to 1m in height standing out amongst the other wildflowers and grasses in a meadow with long pointed leaves (or ‘lanceolate’ in botanists terms). The stems and leaves are often soft and downy.
Corncockle prefers sunny and well-drained locations, because of its colour and stature is a great addition to a herbaceous boarder or even in colourful pots on your patio. But you’ll need to let the flowers go to seed for it to come up in the following year.
Our limited-edition Seed Celebration Box includes hand-made seed balls filled with locally grown Corncockle seeds grown here in Cornwall, ready for you to pop into your garden or container. We’ve also paired them with some handmade Sweet William seed balls for a collection of pink and red Sweet William flowers to complement your magenta Corncockle.
Also in our Celebration Box you will find a packet of loose Corncockle seed ready for sprinkling or scattering and a beautiful greeting card printed on seed paper that can be planted in your garden. We also include a re-usable seed-saver envelope perfect for sending off your greeting card to a loved one or just using to store your saved seed in the autumn.
Our beautiful Corncockle design had been crafted by Dirtyslate Creative Studios and is only available for this limited run.
Join us in celebrating this stunning wildflower with our Corncockle Seed Celebration Gift Box.