Seen in Sharpham’s Mindful Meadow, in front of Sharpham House, here is Yellow Rattle, whose bright flowers have faded to reveal intricate brown calyxes, or pods.
The calyxes hold ripened seeds that rattle when they move, or are blown by the wind - the inspiration behind their nickname.
We went out into the Mindful Meadow after the Yellow Rattle had flowered to find out how this amazing plant got its name.
It was already windy, but we wanted to hear the rattle up close.
So Sharpham's social media volunteer Amber demonstrated - and filmed - how this predatory plant got its name!
These plants serve a special and important purpose. In meadows, their roots reach into the ground and attach to the roots of Couch Grass.
In doing so, the Yellow Rattle draws nutrients from the grass roots, consequently depleting them. This forms a semi-parasitic relationship between the two.
The result is that weakened grasses grow more sparsely, therefore creating more room for wildflowers to grow and thrive.
Wildflowers provide much-needed food, shelter and nesting materials for birds and struggling pollinators, so biodiversity begins to increase and enliven when wildflowers are present in great numbers.
It is the Yellow Rattle that facilitates their growth by preventing the overgrowth of grass, thus restoring meadows with wildflowers.
At Sharpham, we are particularly aware that a huge proportion of meadows has been lost in Britain in recent years. In fact, an estimated 97% of meadows have disappeared in the United Kingdom since the end of World War II.
Part of our initiative is to rewild and restore natural spaces, which is why we converted the former Sharpham Vineyard into a thriving meadow.
The process involved clearing the existing area, removing fence posts and vines that were coming towards the end of their life. It also involved fencing, ploughing the ground and bringing in hay from an already-established wildflower meadow that contained yellow rattle seeds.
Read more about that here and see video here
Since beginning this process in 2023, the level of grass in the meadow has significantly decreased, and been replaced with a breathtaking myriad of coloured wildflowers.
The meadow has been transformed into a haven for pollinators, and those who visit us for retreats are encouraged to spend time exploring it.
There is a wonderful meditation spot in the meadow overlooking the River Dart, where retreatants can sit and enjoy the natural beauty of their surroundings, whilst experiencing the value of nature-restoration...
At the heart of the Sharpham Trust ethos is our desire to build a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally sustainable world.
We connect people with nature and foster mindfulness and well-being through our programme of retreats, mindfulness courses, outdoor learning and the arts.
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