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Annual Biennial

Illecebrum verticillatum

coral necklace

A rare native found in a few sites in southern England. An annual plant producing numerous fine, red stems fanning out across the ground. These are clothed in small, often reddish, leaves interspersed with whorls of tiny white flowers in summer

Other common names
whorled knotweed
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Green Red
Summer Red White Green Red
Autumn Red Green Red
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming, Trailing
Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Natually occurs in damp, sandy, open ground, particularly in areas that are poached by livestock and waterlogged in winter. Needs mildly acid soil with a constant water supply in an open position

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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