What are cornfield annuals
Table of Contents
A once common sight in arable fields, cornfield annuals have long been in decline and become very rare in present times, as they’re considered weeds in arable land. The reason they used to be so common is that germination of these wildflowers were triggered by ploughing and soil disturbance, which is why they would continue to thrive and flower, year after year.
Cornfield annuals are not found in true wildflower meadows as they aren’t perennials. They won’t return year after year unless there is some kind of soil disturbance, such as ploughing or harrowing, which allows them to set seed.
Unlike traditional meadow mixtures, cornflower annuals will thrive on fertile soils, with the former preferring poor soils with low fertility to thrive.
A cornfield annual mixture consists of 5 main wildflowers, these are:
Common poppy – Papaver rhoeas
The common poppy is a symbol of remembrance of the millions of soldiers who lost their lives in conflict. The bright red flowers stand out from afar and typically flower from June to September. Poppies are frequently found on arable land, waste areas and roadside verges, in fact they can be found on sites where the soil is frequently disturbed.
Cornflowers – Centaurea cyanus
Synonymous with rural meadows, the cornflower blooms from June until August. It has decreased dramatically over the last half a century, due to modern agricultural practices, such as herbicide and fertiliser use. They’re frequently found on field margins, hedgerows and roadside verges.
Corn-cockle – Agrostemma githago
Once a very common wildflower found in arable land, They have virtually become extinct and are clinging on for dear life. They has a lovely bright pink flowers, which add even more colour to a cornfield annual meadow. Corn-cockle, which is actually poisonous can be seen from June to August.
Corn marigold – Glebionis segetum
The stunning gold – yellow flowers of corn marigold can be seen as early a May and can often still be seen until October. Sometimes called corn daisy, they’re not a native of the UK and were probably introduced from the Mediterranean or Asia. Although they’re rare nowadays, they can be found on arable land, waste areas and roadside verges.
Corn chamomile – Anthemis austriaca
A scented annual with daisy like flower heads, that bloom from May to August. Corn chamomile grows well on most types of soil, but they require ample sunlight. A cornfield annual that are commonly found on arable fields and waste areas, where the soil has been disturbed.
Why should you sow cornfield annuals
These attractive wildflowers can add a splash of colour to neglected areas of your garden, with the added bonus of attracting bees and other important pollinators. They can be sown on their own, or with a perennial mixture.
If used on their own they will only flower for single season, then disappear. For a year upon year display you would need to keep sowing, either during the autumn or spring time. However once a seed bank has built up they will return in subsequent years, all that’s needed to help them germinate is for the soil to be disturbed, once flowering is complete and the seed has dropped to the soil.
Cornfield annuals can also be be used as a “nurse crop” when mixed with perennials wildflowers. They will help suppress any coarse grasses and weeds, as well as producing initial colour, until the perennial wildflowers establish.
As perennials don’t flower in the initial year of sowing, adding cornfield annuals into the mix will produce colour during the first season of sowing. They also help suppress any competition from coarse grasses or unwanted weeds, whilst the perennial wildflowers are establishing.
Site selection and ground preparation for sowing cornfield annuals
As with perennial wildflowers, cornfield annuals perform better on a sites that receive ample sunlight, therefore keep this in mind when selecting an area to grow them. The next step is to ensure all of the existing vegetation has been removed. It can be removed by hand by simply digging it out, or alternatively, controlled using a total weed killer.
Once the vegetation has been removed the soil will need digging / cultivating to a depth of no more than 10 cm. Any deeper and your likely to bring up more weed seeds to the surface. Once it’s been dug over, it should be raked to produce a suitable tilth for sowing seed.
The seed should by sown at the suppliers recommended rate, 2 grams per square meter is a typical rate for an annual mixture. Note. If the cornfield mixture is being used as a ‘nurse’ for perennials the sowing rate will be somewhat lower than for a straight mixture.
As the sowing rate is very low, the seed can be bulked up by mixing it with sand to help achieve an even application. Once the seed has been applied the area should be either rolled or trod down to help the seed come into contact with the soil.
If the soil is dry it should be irrigated, but avoid saturating it. Cornfield annuals can be sown in the spring or autumn, but avoid periods of drought or water-logging. Autumn sown seed favours poppies, cornflowers and corn-cockle, while spring sown mixtures tend to produce more corn marigold and corn chamomile.
Aftercare and subsequent seasons
Once the seed has been sown very little maintenance is required during the establishment stage. Irrigation may be required during the initial stages if the soil becomes very dry. Any broad leaved weeds, such as thistles, nettles and docks that appear during establishment should be removed to reduce competition.
Cornfield annual only seed mixtures
Once flowering has commenced at the end of the season, the area should be cut and the dead vegetation removed. The soil should be then be dug over and sown with seed again (either during spring or autumn) to repeat the whole process the following year.
However, after several years a seedbank should have built up and the cornfield annuals will keep returning. All that’s required is the soil is disturbed at the end of the season to activate the seed.
Cornfield annuals used as a ‘nurse’ with perennials
Once flowering has commenced the cornfield annuals should be cut down and removed as soon as possible. Once they have been cut down and removed, there should be signs of the new green leaves of the perennial wildflowers.
Avoid spraying or cultivating the ground, as we need to give the perennials every chance to establish successfully.
Cornfield annuals images
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