Annuals & Biennials

Agrostemma
corn cockle

Height 1-4 ft (30-120 cm)
Planting distance 6 in (15 cm)
Flowers midsummer
Ordinary or poor garden soil
Open, sunny site
Hardy annual

Corn cockle's delicate appearance belies its hardy constitution as a grainfield weed. 'Milas' is a superior cultivar developed from the wild Agrostemms githago. Tolerating poor soil, it makes an excellent meadow flower and cottage-garden plant, with its large lilac-pink flowers on tall, slender stems. The leaves are long and narrow, so it is best to grow corn cockles en masse among others annuals and biennials. They are good for cutting, but all parts are poisonous.

Popular species and cultivars
'Milas' grow 3-4 ft (90-120 cm) high. Its delicate pink flowers, 2 in (5 cm) or more wide, deepen in color toward the edges.
'Milas Cerise' is a striking cherry-red strain of 'Milas,' reaching 2-3 ft (60-90 cm)

Annuals
and
Biennials