Yellow Rattle Seeds (Rhinanthus minor)

This semi-parasitic annual plays a unique ecological role reducing the vigour of dominant grasses to allow more space and light for other wildflowers to flourish. Yellow Rattle has a bright and cheerful look, with it's essential grass-supressing nature makes it the perfect tool for establishing a thriving wildflower meadow.

Key Features:

• Natural grass suppressant helping balance species diversity 
• Supports pollinators with its nectar rich flowers attracting bees and other beneficial insects
• Ideal for wildflower meadows and grassland restoration
• Low-maintenance, self-seeds readily and requires minimal intervention once established
• Approx. 250 seeds per 1g

Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) is a native annual wildflower widely valued for its unique ability to suppress the growth of competitive grasses. By parasitising the roots of nearby grasses, it helps reduce their dominance, creating space for a more diverse range of wildflowers to establish. For this reason, Yellow Rattle is often referred to as the “meadow maker.”

From May to July, it produces bright yellow, hooded flowers nestled in papery, toothed calyxes that rattle when the seeds are ripe, giving the plant its name. Growing up to 50 cm tall, it blends beautifully into naturalistic planting schemes and meadow-style landscapes. It's especially effective when sown into existing grassy areas that have been cut and scarified to expose bare soil.

Yellow Rattle prefers poor to moderately fertile soils in full sun and should be sown in autumn, as it requires a period of cold (stratification) to germinate. Once established, it will self-seed each year, continuing its beneficial work in supporting both biodiversity and meadow regeneration.

Yellow Rattle must be sown in the autumn, typically between August and November, to ensure it receives the necessary cold period for germination.

Seeds should be sown onto existing grass or bare soil, preferably after the area has been cut short and raked to expose the soil surface.

Broadcast the seeds evenly and lightly press them into the soil (but do not bury them). Avoid fertilised or overly lush grass areas, as Yellow Rattle performs best in low-nutrient soils. In spring, seedlings will begin to emerge and establish, with flowering from late spring to early summer.

As an annual, Yellow Rattle completes its life cycle within one season, so allowing it to go to seed is essential for regeneration. Mow the meadow after seedpods have dried and rattled, usually by late July or August, and remove clippings to prevent nutrient build-up.

For garden applications direct sow at 1g/m2. For overseeding existing meadow planting or for new sowings on larger areas sow at a maximum of 2g/m2.

Perfect for wildflower meadows, grassland restorations, and wildlife-friendly gardens. Yellow Rattle is highly beneficial for increasing floral diversity and attracting a wide range of pollinators including bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. By weakening dominant grasses, it enables more wildflowers to thrive, creating richer habitats for insects, birds, and other wildlife.

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Garden lawn seed, wildflower seeds, and wildflower seed mixtures are typically dispatched within 1 to 3 working days.

Products from our agricultural, landscaping, and equine ranges may be shipped separately as they are mixed to order.

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Q1: Why is Yellow Rattle important for wildflower meadows?
A: It suppresses grass growth, allowing other wildflowers to establish more easily. This increases species diversity and supports a healthier meadow ecosystem.

Q2: When should I sow Yellow Rattle seeds?
A: In autumn (August to November), so the seeds receive the winter cold needed for germination.

Q3: Can I sow it into an existing lawn or grass area?
A: Yes, but the grass must be cut short and scarified to expose soil before sowing for good seed-to-soil contact.

Q4: Will Yellow Rattle come back every year?
A: Yes, if allowed to set seed and if the area remains suitable. It is an annual, so it needs to re-seed each year to persist.