In areas of the country where it has naturalized, corn cockle is
more common as a weed than it is actually planted.
In areas of the country where it has naturalized, corn cockle is more common as a weed than it is actually planted. Although not shunned as a weed locally, it is still rare. Seed can only occasionally be obtained from specialty suppliers, like Shepherd Seed, or online.
The original species of this flower, whose biological name is Agrostemma githago, is most commonly incorporated into wildflower seed blends. It has 2-inch wide, dark pink flowers.
Other popular varieties have deep purplish pink flowers. One variety has purple spots and white centers. Another has white flowers with dark specks.
Corn cockle self-sows, but subsequent generations revert to the original species. Seed obtained from seed producers should be exactly as it is labeled. However, seed collected and sold online by home garden enthusiasts can be any variation between the parent variety and the straight species.
Like nasturtium and sweet pea, corn cockle is easiest to grow from seed. If small seedlings in cell packs can be found, they are a bit more expensive than seed. Additionally, they need more time to recover from transplant than seed needs to germinate and grow. Seed can be sown about now for bloom through winter, and again in spring for more prolific bloom until the end of next summer.
Mature plants are about 2 feet tall and half as wide. The soft texture might be a bit too delicate for prominent display in refined landscapes, but is excellent for informal mixed flower gardens. Ten-inch tall flower stems make corn cockle a good cut flower.
The tendency of corn cockle to proliferate and become a weed can actually be an asset if the flower can be left to grow where other flowers would be unhappy. It is toxic though, so it should not be grown where young children or pets might chew it.
Tony Tomeo is a consulting horticulturist and arborist for New Image Landscape of Fremont. His weekly radio broadcast, “New Image Garden Report,” can be heard at 8:10am on Friday mornings on KSCO, 1080 AM of Santa Cruz. Tony can be reached at (888) 226-9191 or ww********@*****************ng.com.
