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Yellow Rattle alternatives?

alfharris8alfharris8 Posts: 513
in Plants
Yellow rattle is usually mentioned when discussing the sowing of wild meadow/flower areas but is there an alternative that would do a similar job to Yellow Rattle that isn't Yellow?
Thanks. 
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited May 2023
    Yellow Rattle weakens grass growth as it parasitises the grass roots. I don’t think there’s another plant available that will do that. 

    Yellow is a very usual colour in a wildflower meadow … cowslips and  buttercups for instance … it’s also one of the most attractive colours to many pollinating insects. I can’t imagine a wildflower meadow without yellow at some stage in the year. 
    😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/10/country-diary-panning-for-natures-gold-yellow-rattle 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    The farm is not far at all from us @pansyface … it has lots of permissive walks and we like to go there … the whole farm is farmed with wildlife taking priority. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • alfharris8alfharris8 Posts: 513
    @pansyface - not very nice.
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    edited May 2023
    Dovefromabove said:
    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/10/country-diary-panning-for-natures-gold-yellow-rattle 😊 
    Yes that was interesting! Thanks @Dovefromabove! 
    Gorgeous gallery pics on their website too!
  • alfharris8alfharris8 Posts: 513
    @pansyface.
    Ha ha ha. That was funny.


  • alfharris8alfharris8 Posts: 513
    edited May 2023
    I'm not a hater of yellow or looking to sow a mixed meadow. 
    I was just toying with an idea using a very sparce range of colours so wondered what, if any alternatives there were.
    Thank you for your responses. 
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    What about eyebright Euphrasia officinalis? It is semi parasitic on grasses. Not yellow.

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Eyebright is a pretty little ground hugging plant that  grows wild here, but only in one particular area of sheep grazed acid hillside with very fine grasses. I rather doubt it could be used to control the growth of the much more rampant grasses that make up my wild flower meadow, which relies on more robust natives for its flower impact, and some judicious editing from me! I am hoping to add some yellow rattle this autumn but I don't know how much impact this will have on the balance of species.
  • alfharris8alfharris8 Posts: 513
    Thanks @bertrand-mabel. I was not familiar with that plant so have just searched for a photo. 
    We have a lawn you have to step up to that is edged by the drive wall which curves. I have been considering if it would be possible to plant the curved edge with something shortish and muted that could be left as it's a pain to mow and strim. It's just a half baked idea at the moment but I thank you for the suggestion. It is pretty. 
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