Reichardia picroides
common brighteyes
A leafy, perennial salad vegetable which looks a bit like a dandelion, with clumps of narrow green leaves, which may develop scalloped edges, and bright yellow flowers with heart-shaped bracts appearing in April to August which are loved by bees. The flowers are followed by fluffy seedheads, like dandelion clocks. The leaves can still be harvested whilst the plant is in flower, and both young and older leaves have a mild and slightly sweet flavour. As a bonus it is also slug-resistant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full shade
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in sun to part-shade, although will produce better leaves in shade during the summer. Water thoroughly in dry spells. Drought tolerant once established. See salsify cultivation as the growing advice for this is very similar
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sowing spring to early autumn under glass in peat-free compost. Seeds may take a few weeks to germinate. May also be grown in situ outside once the soil has warmed up, or in pots outside and brought in over winter. Self-seeding
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Cut back stems in autumn to encourage further growth
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.