Plantain

[jackieandrade]

Yellow rattle grows prolifically in our meadow and other community areas. It is followed by equally prolific plantain, which is drawing unwanted attention from neighbours who would prefer to see grass. Will the plantain gradually take over, or will something else limit its growth in natural succession?

[Steve Pollard]

Plantain is a very quick coloniser when the sward is opened up following rattle's reduction of grasses, due to its prolific seeding and relative immunity to the parasitation of rattle. Cat's ear is also quite a quick coloniser and adds colour. The growth of other plants will depend on their presence in the locality or their introduction. I personally like plantain, but appreciate it's not for everyone...and how an area of plantain may look unmanaged. Oxeye daisy makes it look like something is happening.

[jackieandrade]

Thanks Steve. I can transplant some ox eye daisies. Is there any seed I could sow, so late in the season, that might flower this year? Annuals would be fine as the purpose is to make the space look managed

[Steve Pollard]

Have you got any information signs up?

[Donna Cox]

I usually sow annuals in my garden borders in April and May for autumn flowering. You could try sowing some now in seed trays, cornflower, for example, but transplanting into tall vegetation can be tricky, as young plants may be smothered.

For more oxeye daisy next year, sow the seeds in September onto any bare ground - after the grass has been cut and removed - and it should flower the following summer.

As for Ribwort plantain, although it can feel dominant at first, it tends to reduce over time - it has in my meadows. I’ve often found it arrives in quantity after Yellow rattle has been introduced. Meadows are dynamic though and change from year to year, so patience is key!

It’s also worth noting that although Ribwort may not be showy, its flowers provide nectar for pollinators, and it’s the food plant for the caterpillars of several moth species, including the charming Heart and Dart.

[David BWK]

It's a relief to hear that our experience is far from unique! Yellow rattle explosion was followed by a plantain takeover, but in some parts of the field, we are at last starting to see other other species starting to move in, although still in comparatively small numbers. Patience certainly seems to be a necessary virtue. As you've said though, it was good (and a surprise to me) to see bees actively foraging the plantains and bringing plenty of pollen back to the hives.