Zea mays Seeds | Ornamental Maize
LATIN NAME: Zea mays
COMMON NAME: Ornamental Maize
Plant Profile
Ornamental Maize (Zea mays) is a tall, sturdy, annual in the grass family. Ornamental maize is rainbow ear of autumn field, and tasselled tops rise above broad, arching leaves. Ears are a fine, festive presence of harvest table, and plant is a plant of open, sunny, deep, moist, rich ground. Plants that offer this much while asking this little are rare enough to treasure.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the grass family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Modern propagation practice has made this species straightforward to raise by ordinary good methods.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Ornamental Maize for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Ornamental maize is a fine, bold plant of autumn field and harvest garden. It is a fine, bold plant of open, sunny, deep, moist, rich garden. Plant in blocks for wind, and fine ears will dry well on the stalks. After the first season it asks for very little beyond a place that suits it.
Corn feeds the world, and corn silk is its gentle medicine: the golden styles are a traditional diuretic tea for urinary comfort across Asia and the Americas; the germ oil is rich in vitamin E.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Ornamental Maize under ordinary good conditions. Scatter the seed evenly over a loose seed compost, cover to no more than its own depth, and keep the pot moist and bright. Shift the seedlings into small pots as soon as they can be handled, and give them bright light until planting-out time.
Our Take
Being a tall, sturdy, annual, it asks for a permanent spot and repays it yearly. Sun, free drainage and a patient first year are all it really requires.
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