About
An annual about 30-50cm tall with simple or branched stems bearing narrowly lance-shaped, nettle-like dark green leaves and tubular, 2-lipped yellow flowers with brown or purple teeth, within a bladdery, inflated calyx, the seeds rattling inside when ripe.
About the genus
Rhinanthus are annuals with opposite, toothed leaves and terminal, leafy spikes of tubular, 2-lipped flowers in summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesPrairie planting, Wildflower meadow
Native toN Hemisphere
Care notes
CultivationGrow as semi-parasitic plant amongst grasses in meadows or prairies where it will reduce the vigour of grasses
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed in late summer to the end of the year, or by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free