About
Agrostemma githago is an upright, branching annual that typically reaches heights of 60 to 90 cm. It features slender, grey-green leaves that can grow up to 8 cm in length. During the summer months, the plant produces open, funnel-shaped flowers measuring around 5 cm in diameter, displaying a magenta-purple hue.
About the genus
Agrostemma consists of upright annual plants characterized by narrow leaves arranged oppositely along the stem. These species produce solitary flowers that feature five petals and a trumpet-like shape, with elongated calyx lobes that are visible between the petals.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow
- Native to
- SE Europe to Iran
- Toxicity
- Human/Pets (dogs, poultry): Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in poor, well-drained soil in full sun. Lax growth needs to be staked. Flowers are suitable for cutting and are attractive to bees
- Pruning
- Deadhead to prolong flowering. Cut back after flowering is finished
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in-situ, self-seeds prolifically
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease- free