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Herbaceous Perennial

Tragopogon pratensis
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

goat's beard

A clump-forming, annual or short-lived, tap-rooted perennial to 60cm tall, with narrowly lance-shaped, long-pointed leaves and in early to midsummer produces terminal dandelion-like yellow flowerheads, which close about midday, followed by large fluffy seedheads

Other common names
buck's beard
clock flower
see morego-to-bed-at-noon
Johnny-go-to-bed
Johnny-go-to-bed-at-noon
Joseph's flower
noontide
salsifex
salsify
sleep at noon
star of Jerusalem
Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon
nap at noon
noon flower
shepherd's clock
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Yellow Green Brown
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Tragopogon can be annuals or herbaceous perennials with grass-like linear leaves and large, dandelion-like yellow or purple flowerheads in summer

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Easily grown in any soil but are best kept to wild gardens where self-seeding will not be a problem

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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