- Botanical name: Ononis spinosa
- Common name: Restharrow
- Family: Fabaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Pink
White
Green
Commonly known as spiny restharrow, Ononis spinosa is a shrubby perennial native to the UK. It’s usually found growing naturally as part of infertile, chalky or calcareous meadows.
Flowering in summer and early autumn, its blooms are pollinated by bees, so it’s great for wildlife. It’s ideal for growing alongside other meadow plant species that enjoy the same growing conditions, such as vetch, scabious, fescues, betony and knapweed.
For best results, grow Ononis spinosa in full sun in well-drained, neutral to acidic soil. The seeds can be sown in autumn or spring, but may require some form of scarification to break through the tough outer coat.
How to grow Ononis spinosa
-
Plant size
60cm height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Ononis spinosa and wildlife
Ononis spinosa is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Ononis spinosa poisonous?
Ononis spinosa has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Ononis spinosa
