Cornfield Meadow Annuals Mix

A collection of five different species of native wildflower were once a common sight in cornfields and meadows. This summer-flowering mixture is ideal for providing a splash of colour to create a wildlife garden or meadow, or can be used as an excellent 'natural' edge to gravel paths and drives.

These easy to grow, low maintenance, annual wildflowers will flower approximately three months after a spring sowing, they will provide a bright array of colour during the first year and then die away to reseed themselves in following years.
Some of the species are species are rich in nectar; they will provide colour and will attract butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects to create an excellent habitat for wildlife.

This Cornfield mix is 100% pure flower seed which are produced in the British Isles. It does not contain grasses.
The five species included in this mixture are:

• Agrostemma githago “Corncockle”
• Anthemis avensis “Corn Chamomile”
• Centaurea cyanus “Cornflower”
• Chrysanthemum segetum “Corn Marigold”
• Papaver rhoeas “Corn or Field Poppy”

Detailed cultivation and establishment information accompanies each pack of seeds, but below are some notes for guidance:

Sowing: Sow in autumn or early spring
Sow direct into a weed free soil that is low in fertility.
Rake well to make a seed bed and sprinkle the seed mixed with a little dry sand.
Lightly rake and firm the soil with your feet and water thoroughly.

Cultivation:
Do not use fertiliser since wildflowers prefer poor soils.
They can be maintained by self seeding and may require some weeding or thinning to keep in balance.
In autumn, after seed has been shed, cut the faded flowerheads down to the ground and compost the dead stems
Rake well, firm and water thoroughly, this will ensure flowering next year.

Plant Uses:
Cottage Garden, Edging, Wild Garden, Low Maintenance Garden, Wildlife, Woodland Garden

Sowing Rates:
Cornfield wildflower mix should be sown at a rate of 2 grams per square metre (8 kg per acre).
The calculations below give an idea of pack sizes required to cover different areas.

Other Species:
There are no hard and fast rules of what to grow in a wildflower garden. You may decide that you wish to add a few other species. This can be achieved either by sowing direct, adding to the meadow mixture before broadcasting, or to sow separately creating natural drifts of colour.
Some can also be grown indoors to create plug plants which can be added into the meadow once established.
Some species can be sown by either method and appear on both lists.

Sowing directly where they are to flower:
The following species can be sown straight into the ground. It is advisable to create bare areas around the spot where the plug is to be introduced to reduce initial competition. Plant 4 to 5 plugs per square metre.
Corncockle, Cornflower, Corn Marigold, Field Poppy,
Cuckooflower, Red & White campion, Meadow Buttercup,
Ragged Robin, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Meadowsweet, Musk Mallow,
Betony, Hesperis matronalis, Ox Eye Daisy, Yarrow, Selfheal,
Yellow Rattle, Red Clover, Scentless Mayweed, Charlock,
Forget Me Not, Field Pansy, Wild Poppy, Long-head Poppy.

Sowing indoors in pots:
The following species can be sown indoors to create plug plants.
Birdsfoot Trefoil, Cranesbill, Cowslip, Harebell, Globeflower,
Cuckooflower, Meadowsweet, Musk Mallow, Betony, Ox Eye Daisy,
Primrose, Field Scabious, Lady’s Bedstraw, Foxglove, Lesser knapweed,
Hesperis matronalis, Purple Loosestrife, Yarrow, Selfheal

If you would like to read futher information about each of the plants above, they are all listed as separate species in the Wildflower category

Please Note:
Even though these seeds are wild flowers, they should not be scattered in the wild without the authorisation of your local Nature Conservation Trust.