Rhinanthus glacialis
Rhinanthus glacialis · Orobanchaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant rhinanthus glacialis: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- English name
- Glacial Yellow Rattle
- Family
- Orobanchaceae
- Type
- Annual or biennial herbaceous plant
- Adult height
- 15 to 40 cm
- Flowering
- June to August
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (zone 2-3)
- Origin
- Alps, Scandinavia and arctic regions
- Exposure
- Sunny to partial shade
Care
Exposure
Rhinanthus glacialis prefers sunny to partly shaded locations, at high altitude or in cool climates. Place it where it receives at least 4 to 6 hours of direct daily sunlight for optimal flowering.
Soil and terrain
This plant thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils that are rather poor in nutrients. It adapts well to rocky, alpine or subalpine terrain. Avoid overly rich or waterlogged soils, which promote disease.
Watering
Keep the soil moderately moist during growth, especially during flowering. In mountainous or cool climates, natural rainfall is generally sufficient. Reduce watering after flowering.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is necessary, and it's actually discouraged. This alpine plant prefers poor, low-nutrient soils. Overly enriched soil slows its natural growth and can promote disease.
Pruning and maintenance
Let the plant grow naturally without intervention. Simply remove any diseased or dead parts if needed. After flowering, you can let seeds disperse naturally for spontaneous sowing the following year.
Diseases and pests
Rhinanthus glacialis is generally robust and rarely troubled by pests. Watch for excess moisture that may encourage fungal rot. Good air circulation and optimal drainage are sufficient to prevent most problems.
Did you know?
Glacial Yellow Rattle is a hemiparasitic plant: its roots connect to those of other plants (notably herbaceous ones) to extract part of their nutrients while still carrying out its own photosynthesis. This clever strategy allows it to thrive in poor alpine soils where few other plants can succeed.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Meadow cowwheatMelampyrum pratense
- Yellow rattleRhinanthus minor
- Pedicularis palustrisPedicularis palustris
- Melampyrum sylvaticumMelampyrum sylvaticum
- Red bartsiaOdontites vernus
- Marsh lousewortPedicularis sylvatica
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.