Polygala lutea

RHS Plant Profile
candy weed

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Other common names

candy weed, yellow bachelor's buttons, yellow clover, yellow milkwort

Synonyms

Senega lutea

Annual Biennial

A small, low-growing species of biennial or short-lived perennial wildflower, native to boggy areas of the USA to around 40cm in height, forming rosettes of smooth, slightly succulent spoon-shaped green leaves which become smaller and narrower towards the top of the stem. Sweetly fragrant, bright orange drumstick-shaped flowers, which turn yellow when dried, appear from late spring through to mid-autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
No preference

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Polygalaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming, Columnar upright, Tufted
Genus
Polygala can be annuals, evergreen perennials or shrubs, with simple leaves and racemes of somewhat pea-shaped flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
E USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in consistently damp, acidic. low-nutrient sandy, gritty or loamy soil or shallow standing water in full sun to partial shade. Ensure enough drainage to prevent stagnation. Flowers perform better in full sun. Do not feed

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Although it seeds freely, in its native form, relies on ants to remove the seeds fleshy coating. Sow seeds in moist but not waterlogged, acidic, peat-free, sandy compost

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to root rot and Xylella fastidiosa