Scottish Dock
Rumex aquaticus · Polygonaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant scottish dock: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Summer (June to August)
- Mature size
- 80 to 150 cm tall
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (zones 3-9)
- Origin
- Temperate Europe and Asia
- Soil type
- Moist to marshy
Care
Watering
Dyer's weld appreciates constantly moist, even saturated soils. Water generously during dry periods and maintain regular moisture, especially in summer. This plant tolerates pond and streamside locations where water periodically pools.
Light exposure
Plant dyer's weld in full sun or partial shade. It prefers sunny exposure for optimal growth, but tolerates partial shade well, especially in hot regions where it will appreciate afternoon protection.
Soil and planting
Dyer's weld requires rich, humus-laden, well-draining yet constantly moist soil. It thrives in marshy, peaty terrain or near water basins. Adding well-decomposed compost at planting encourages vigorous development.
Pruning and maintenance
Cut back faded stems in autumn after foliage dies back, or in spring before growth resumes. Light pruning during the season can contain the plant if it becomes too invasive. No major intervention is needed to maintain a natural form.
Fertilizing
Well-decomposed compost applied in spring generally provides sufficient nutrition for this undemanding plant. In poor or very wet soil, balanced organic fertilizer at the season's start encourages vigorous growth without excess.
Diseases and pests
Dyer's weld is generally robust and rarely troubled by disease. In conditions of prolonged water stagnation, check for root rot. Aphids may occasionally affect it; good air circulation minimizes this risk.
Did you know?
Dyer's weld was traditionally used in dyeing to produce yellow shades on fabrics, hence its historical importance to European dyers. This tall aquatic herbaceous plant long marked the wet landscapes and river zones of Eurasia, serving both as a dye plant and as fodder.
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.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.