Yellow Rattle Seed

1 Gram

£2.00

in stock

Quantity:

Add to Basket

Current Lead Times - Seeds: 3 working days
Delivery Nationwide, UK only
Contributing to a sustainable world!

Description
Sowing

Yellow Rattle Seed | The Meadow Maker - Weakens Grass for Wildflowers

Introduce Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor), the essential "meadow maker," to your grassland areas. This unique, semi-parasitic annual wildflower with distinctive yellow flowers plays a crucial role in weakening dominant grasses, creating space for a greater diversity of wildflowers to thrive. Its charming tubular, two-lipped yellow flowers with brown or purple teeth appear within a bladdery, inflated calyx.

Thriving in full sun and adaptable to a wide range of soils (chalk, clay, loam, sand, moist well-drained, acid, alkaline, neutral), Yellow Rattle requires a period of frost to germinate, making autumn sowing (September to November) essential. While it takes 1 to 2 years to reach its full height of 0.1 to 0.5m, its impact on meadow establishment is invaluable.

Key Features:

Yellow Rattle seed (Rhinanthus minor)
Semi-parasitic annual that weakens grass dominance
Creates space for wildflowers to flourish
Distinctive tubular, two-lipped yellow flowers
Requires frost for germination (sow September - November)
Adaptable to a wide range of soil types
Sow rate: 1 gram per square metre

Description:

Unlock the potential of your grassland with Yellow Rattle, the natural ally of wildflowers. By subtly reducing the vigour of dominant grasses, this fascinating annual creates the perfect conditions for a vibrant and diverse wildflower meadow to establish and flourish.

Planting Information:

Latin Name: Rhinanthus minor
Position: Full sun
Soil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand, moist well-drained, acid, alkaline, neutral * Sow: September - November (needs frost to germinate)
Flowering Period: June to August
Hardiness: H5 (Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters)
Size: 0.1 to 0.5m high by 0.1m wide
Type: Annual

Growing Tips:

Sow Yellow Rattle seed in autumn (September to November) as it requires a period of frost to break dormancy and germinate in the spring. Choose a sunny location. Its semi-parasitic nature will help to naturally reduce grass competition, paving the way for a richer wildflower display.

When and How to Sow Your Wildflower Seeds

Getting a vibrant wildflower display is easier than you might think! Here's a simple guide to help you succeed, even if you're new to gardening.

When to Sow

You have two main windows for sowing your wildflower seeds:

Spring/Summer: From March to mid-May.
Autumn: From August to October.

Try to avoid sowing when frost is expected or during very dry, drought-like conditions, as this can affect germination.

Getting the Sow Rate Right

For our 100% wildflower mixes, the recommended sowing rate is 1.5 to 3 grams per square metre.

Why this rate? It's a careful balance! Sowing too much seed can lead to stronger, more dominant species out competing the others, reducing your mix's diversity. Sowing to little might leave too much space for weeds or grasses to take over.
Handy Tip: A level teaspoon of wildflower seed is roughly 1.5 grams.

What to Expect From Your Wildflowers

The magical transformation of your wildflower patch will unfold over time, depending on the types of seeds in your mix:

Annuals: If your mix includes annual species, you'll see them bloom beautifully within 8-10 weeks if sown in spring. If you sow them in autumn, they'll flower the following summer.
Perennials: These longer-term beauties typically begin to flower in the second year after sowing. Don't be surprised if Oxeye Daisy and/or Wild Carrot are the stars of the show in that second summer. The other lovely perennials will become more prominent from year 3 and 4, returning year after year to create an increasingly diverse display.

You can always check the specific "mixture details" under the product description on our website to see if your chosen mix includes annuals, perennials, or both.

Ground Preparation: The Essential First Step

Proper ground preparation is key to giving your wildflowers the best start.

Whether you're using pots or preparing a garden bed, ensure you remove any existing weeds and grass beforehand. This way, your precious wildflower seeds won't have to fight for space and nutrients, helping them establish successfully.

Sowing Your Seeds

Once your ground is ready, follow these simple steps for sowing:

Prepare the Seedbed: Gently rake your prepared area to create a fine, firm, level seedbed. This provides the perfect surface for your tiny seeds.
Mix and Scatter: If you're using a carrier (which we recommend for an even spread), mix your seeds with a bulking agent like sand, sterile compost, or instant porridge. Then, scatter the mixture evenly over your seedbed.
Good Seed-to-Soil Contact: Lightly rake, roll, or even gently walk over the area. The goal here isn't to bury the seeds deep but rather to lightly push them into the soil to ensure they have good contact with the ground.
Water Gently: Finish by watering lightly, being careful not to wash the seeds away.

Ongoing Maintenance

Once your wildflowers have bloomed and the season is ending:

In the autumn, cut the plants back to about 7cm in height.
Remove the cuttings from the area. This is an important step to help keep the soil fertility low, which is ideal for encouraging wildflowers to thrive and preventing more dominant grasses from taking over.