An important meadow plant, the Johnsons Seeds Wild Flower Yellow Rattle is a semi-parasitic annual plant. Traditionally the rattle of dry seed pods signalled time to gather the hay. It is a must for every garden and meadow as it feeds on the roots of grasses, allowing wildflowers to thrive. Outdoor sowing: March to May and September to October, in a grassy area which has been watered and roughly raked to expose soil and roots. Sow thinly and rake over gently to cover. Firm gently and keep moist. Seedlings appear 14-28 days. Keep moist and weed free. Flowers June to August. Late sowings often germinate best and will flower the following year. TIP: Don’t cut wildflower meadows until after the Yellow Rattle’s seedpods rattle, this way the ripe wildflower seeds can be shed and provide new blooms next year. NOTE: Native grown wildflower seeds, not taken from the wild