Plant type

Evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial

Height & spread

20cm x 35cm

Wildlife benefit

Bird (seed and petals) and butterfly nectar and caterpillar plant

  • Native wildflower easy to naturalise at the base of hedges.
  • Pale yellow flowers appear from early to late spring, usually fragrant.
  • Seed eaten by chaffinches. Perhaps less desirable for the gardener is when Sparrows attack the petals.
  • Nectar is attractive to the Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and White Butterflies. The Duke of Burgundy Fritillary Butterfly may also use it as a caterpillar food plant if you live in parts of Britain where it is still found such as the South of England, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.