Rhinanthus minor

Germination

Germination can be problematic. This wild flower requires a long period of cold stratification. Sow directly in autumn into med/low fertile soil grassland. Grass should have been cut to 2-4cm prior to sowing and 50% of the area should be bare soil. Scatter seed, rake in. Allow nature to cold stratify over winter.

Growing

Once established this plant is low maintenance. Yellow Rattle will not thrive in all grassland. The most suitable sites for Yellow Rattle are managed grassland of low to medium fertility. Yellow Rattle often fails to survive in Ryegrass or neglected, over-grown tussocky grassland which is dominated by coarse or vigorous grasses.

Cultivation

This plant will take a year to establish itself. Can be cut, along with the meadow grasses after flowering.