Reseda lutea aka Yellow Mignonette

Reseda lutea is known as wild mignonette. It belongs to the Resedaceae family. Its native range spans Europe, North Africa and southwest Asia. The RHS also lists it as native to Britain and Ireland. It grows on disturbed ground, waste sites and arable land. Plants For A Future links these habitats with lime-rich ground.

This upright biennial forms clumps and sheds its leaves. The RHS lists a garden height of 3.3–4.9 feet (1–1.5 metres). Its stated spread is 1.6–3.3 feet (0.5–1 metre). The same profile also describes plants reaching 4.9 feet (1.5 metres) wide. The dark green leaves are narrow, with wavy edges. Their shapes range from linear to lance-shaped. They reach about 0.33 feet (0.1 metre) long.

Small yellow-green flowers appear in summer. Each flower has four petals. They grow in long, slim, upright racemes. These flower spikes suit beds and borders in informal gardens. The RHS also suggests cottage gardens and wildlife gardens. Plants For A Future notes that the plant attracts wildlife. Removing spent flowers can help extend the flowering season.

Grow wild mignonette in full sun or partial shade. Give it soil that drains well and has moderate fertility. Neutral to alkaline soil suits it best. The RHS lists chalk, loam and sand as suitable soils. Its moisture preference ranges from dry to moist. A sheltered spot suits the growing conditions listed by the RHS. Its H6 rating indicates hardiness across Britain and northern Europe. That rating covers winter lows of −20 to −15°C. Sow seed in early spring or autumn. In cold areas, protect autumn seedlings with a cloche.

The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. Plants For A Future lists the young leaves as edible raw. It gives the plant a low food-use score of one out of five. That source reports no known hazards, rather than proof of safety for every use. It lists no known medicinal uses or other practical uses. It also records no weed potential. Its supported garden roles are in borders, informal planting and wildlife gardens.