Yellow Rattle Wildflower

Helps to outcompete weeds in your meadow
Weakens existing grasses so that its flora can flourish
An attractive perennial that delights year after year

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How much do I need?

Simply enter the length and width of the area, to calculate how much you need.

Product Description

Yellow Rattle Pricing: Due to limited supply our suppliers charges have gone up dramatically. This will be reflected in our retail price and it will probably remain high until next year.

Often described as the 'meadow maker', Yellow Rattle can be used in existing meadows where meadow grasses have taken over. It helps to weaken these grasses to allow other wildflowers to flourish, and does this by locking its roots to those of the grasses, and therefore lessens their abundance. This mix is made up of 100% UK native yellow rattle and is particularly good at attracting bees and pollinators as an RHS Plants for Pollinators approved wildflower.

Mixture Breakdown

100% Yellow Rattle

When does it bloom?

May - September

What colour is it?

Yellow

Annual or Perennial?

Annual

Latin Name

Rhinanthus minor

Description

Yellow Rattle can be used in existing meadows where meadow grasses have taken over. It helps to weaken these grasses to allow other wildflowers to flourish, and does this by locking its roots to those of the grasses, and therefore lessens their abundance.

Usage Guide

● Cut your grass as short as possible at the end of summer and scarify your existing meadow / grassland with an aim to achieve 50% bare / exposed soil
● Sow your Yellow Rattle before winter sets in (do not leave sowing any later than November) – it will germinate and bloom in early spring and begin to weaken the existing grasses.
● Scatter the seed at a rate of 5g per m2 and rake the seed so that it is in amongst the soil
● Water the just-sown wildflower seed well
● If sowing in drought conditions, water as required to keep the area moist in the first 6 weeks after sowing

Read our full guide on how to manage your wildflower meadow here.

Sowing Rate	5g per m2
When	For best results sow in September, do not leave sowing any later than November

Aftercare

I’ve sown my wildflower seed in April / May (spring)

In August / September of the first year you have sown your wildflower seed, cut your wildflower sward to 7cm after flowering – you can do this by putting your mower on a high setting. In most cases remove clippings* (Note: a late spring sowing will result in late flowering). Do not be tempted fertilise or add top soil to this area – wildflowers prefer poor soil conditions, and this is how they should stay. Continue this same process, year after year. *If you have annual wildflowers in your mix and you do not wish them to return the following year, remove the clippings. If you want your wildflowers to return the following year - let them go to seed head, and manually assist their self-seeding by firming the seed heads into the soil. By doing this, your annuals will return the following year.

I’ve sown my wildflower seed in September / October (autumn)

In March / April of the first year of sowing your wildflower seed, make sure there is sufficient material to mow – your wildflowers / grasses should be at a height of 10cm. If your wildflowers are at this height, mow to 7cm no later than mid-April, as this will delay their blooming process. In August / September, after they have bloomed, cut your wildflower meadow again to 7cm, remove all clippings unless you want your annuals to return. If you wish for your annual wildflowers to make a reappearance the following spring, follow the process above by letting the seed heads drop into the soil, and give them a helping hand by firming them into the soil.

The above photo depicts the variety of species you should expect to see in your wildflower display. Please note that certain species within this mix and all our wildflower mixes may become more abundant than others, subject to the conditions that they are sown in. Taking this into consideration, your wildflower meadow will evolve and adapt year on year, changing in appearance as certain species may become more dominant than others.

Product Questions

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Can I sow Yellow rattle now, in March/April?

Question by: ben howard on 13 Mar 2023, 14:41

Hi there, Yes you can sow Yellow rattle during the spring months. Thank you for your question

Answer by: Eva Greene (Admin) on 13 Mar 2023, 15:57

Hi, can I sow yellow rattle to control Couch Grass? thanks

Question by: christine watson on 28 Aug 2021, 22:07

Hi Christine, we would recommend clearing as much of the area as possible and try to aim to achieve 50% bare soil. We do have a blog post on our Help and Advice section on sowing yellow rattle, which might be of interest to you.

Answer by: Roisin McCann on 3 Sept 2021, 13:14

I have a new area I am planning to plant wild flowers in. It is partly shaded in the afternoon. While I've turned over the soil with a tiller do you recommend planting yellow rattle at the same time as the wild flowers to combat any weed seed in the soil?

Also, with a partly shaded area should I mix both shaded and "regular" wildflower batches? Thank you :).

Question by: Benjamin on 22 Aug 2021, 14:22

Hi Benjamin, we would not recommend sowing yellow rattle at the same time as wildflower seeds as it various degrees of success. If you are concerned with existing weeds and grasses, then I would recommend sowing the yellow rattle first and allowing this to establish then when the next cut is due add more wildflower seeds. If you have already prepped the area, allow it a few weeks to cultivate and if any weeds re-emerge then remove these and then sow the seeds in Autumn. Leaving the area for a few weeks between prep and sowing will allow any stubborn weeds to come through then you can remove these ensuring that you have clear area and the best chances at establishment.

Answer by: Roisin McCann on 23 Aug 2021, 10:49

how many bags ,..kg... ould i need for an acre

Question by: kate wall on 24 Jun 2021, 13:11

Hi Kate, for an area that size you would require 20.24 kg of wildflower seed

Answer by: Roisin McCann on 24 Jun 2021, 14:45

Please can you confirm this seed (yellow rattle) is untreated.

Question by: Jackie on 16 Apr 2021, 21:56

Hi Jackie

All our wildflowers are untreated and are 100% natural.

Answer by: Roisin McCann on 19 Apr 2021, 10:30

Hi, I sowed my yellow rattle and wildflower mix at the end of October after clearing the area to earth. It is now the end of march and I don't yet have much more than what look like seedlings alongside patches of grass and small weeds. Is this to be expected and when should I expect to see 10cm of growth? Thank you.

Question by: Jon on 31 Mar 2021, 22:03

Hi Jon

It is still early in the season but you can except to see more in the way of bloom as temperatures increase.

Any of the mixes with grass, when sown at the same time, the grass will shoot up first to create a nursery for the wildflowers, the grass will germinate when temperatures are 8-10 degrees or above consistently for two weeks. This stops weeds from taking over and allows the wildflowers to take root.

Around 60 - 80 days later you can expect to see annuals and a few perennials. Some perennials will flower the first year and others will take up to a year to establish but they will continue to bloom each year.

Answer by: Roisin McCann on 1 Apr 2021, 09:49

Hi, I have purchased the Bees and Polinators mix for my lawn and plan to sow in the spring. Will planting yellow rattle now help clear the existing lawn grass ready for planting the seed mix in the spring? Or will it compete with the meadow grasses contained in the Bees and Polinators mix when they start to germinate? Thanks

Question by: Jen on 26 Nov 2020, 14:23

Hi Jen, ideally we would recommend sowing yellow rattle no later than November so that you have a show in spring and this won't delay you sowing the Bees and Pollinators. Like anything we would still suggest that the area is cleared of any existing weeds and grasses before you sow, this will give the yellow rattle the best chance of establishment. We also have an excellent blog post on sowing yellow rattle in our help & Advice section, it is worth a read if it is something your considering.

Answer by: Roisin McCann on 26 Nov 2020, 14:43