Yellow Rattle Wildflower Seed

Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus Minor), also known as Hay Rattle wildflower seed, is the must-have plant if you are wanting to successfully grow a wildflower meadow.

It is a parasitic plant that will reduce grasses by weakening them and allowing the annual and perennial flowers to establish themselves.

Monty Don refers to Yellow Rattle as the 'meadow maker' in episode 21 of BBC Gardeners World. This episode with Monty shows how to sow a wildflower meadow and is well worth watching if you need some guidance on what to do to create your own wildflower meadow.

 

RHS Perfect for Pollinators.
The RHS Perfect for Pollinators mark is only given to plants that support pollinating insects in gardens. Bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies and many others visit flowers to feed on nectar and pollen; while doing so they transfer pollen and increase seed set and fruit development.

All you need to know to easily grow your wildflower meadow using Yellow Rattle Seeds

When should you sow Yellow Rattle seeds?:	Indoors: February - March Outdoors: August to December Flowers: June to September the following year
Soil / Site Conditions:	Most soils, sunny or part-shaded site.
How to Sow:	The most successful time to direct sow is August through to October (following natures natural cycle) or alternatively sow indoors February to March and plant out at Autumn. Either scarify the grass, aiming for a minimum 50% bare soil, or sow directly into topsoil. Broadcast the seed at a rate of 2gm per sq metre (The seed can be mixed with sharp sand to ensure a more even spread). Walk over the seeded area ensuring that the total ground is walked upon. This is to ensure that the seeds are in contact with the soil, which is vital for germination.
Care:	Carefully water during dry weather, and keep on top of removing weeds until the Yellow Rattle begins to establish. In the first year after germination high cut the sward in late Summer Following years should see the wildflower meadow cut in Mar/Apr to 7.5cm and the second cut in Aug/Oct. Germination of wildflower seeds can be erratic and some species require vernalisation before germination in spring of the following year, e.g. a period of prolonged cold temperatures.

Sow Rate:	1 gram per square metre.
Pack Weight / Area:	2g 2m2 5g 5m2  10g 10m2 25g 25m2 100g 100m2

When to Sow Yellow Rattle Wild Flower Seed? 

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

 

General Wildflower Seed Information & Advice

Follow the links below for more information on Wildflowers:

> Video Monty Don Showing How To Sow A Wildflower Meadow
> Wildflower Seed Sowing Advice
> Benefits of Growing Wildflowers