Cornflower

Cornflower ©Jane Smart/Plantlife

The decline of Cornflower illustrates what has happened to many of our wildflowers over the last 60 years.

Once a common sight in summer cornfields, it now occurs at only a few sites in the wild. As a common garden plant and also a mainstay of "wildflower" seed mixes it can be difficult for experts to tell whether populations are truly wild or have escaped from gardens.

Modern intensive agriculture is to blame for the Cornflower's drastic decline. The increased use of herbicides and fertilisers, the development of highly competitive crop varieties, the destruction of field-edges, the demise of traditional crop rotations and the conversion of marginal arable land to pasture have all helped to destroy populations of one of our most attractive summer flowers.

Plantlife advises landowners on the management of fields to conserve this plant, and the introduction of stewardship grants for sensitively managed land may help to restore populations of this once-common plant.

If you have any queries please contact us at enquiries@plantlife.org.uk

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