Natural England

Natural England

Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

© 2006-2010. Database provided and managed on behalf of Natural England by The Plant Press. Designed and implemented by Ideal Integration Ltd

 

Search

Type a name in the box (see Help for simple rules) or set the criteria you want to use for the search. Click an item to see details and links. To search for the complete list of plants and/or creatures type a space in the box before you press Search.

   

Poached-egg flower - Limnanthes douglasii

Poached-egg flower - Limnanthes douglasiiPoached-egg flower - Limnanthes douglasii
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, North, South East, South West

This is a lovely plant for the edge of a flower border. It is fast growing, with cup-shaped yellow flowers that have white edges to the petals. The pale-green leaves are glossy and feathery.

This is a great attraction for bees and hoverflies and so recommended as a useful companion plant for vegetable growing, with the 'bird-dropping'- like hoverfly larvae helping to keep down aphids. The poached egg flower has the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is easy to grow and does well in a sunny spot. Its other common name is meadow foam.

Animals

Helophilus pendulus, Honey bee, Red mason bee, Volucella bombylans

FoliageGreen
FlowerYellow, June to August
MoistureDry (Dry)
SunlightFull sun to Part-shadeFull sun to Part-shade (Full sun to Part-shade)
OriginNon-native
971