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Botanical name
Rumex scutatus
Other names
French sorrel , Garden sorrel , Buckler-shaped sorrel
Genus
Species
R. scutatus - R. scutatus is a clump-forming, deciduous perennial, often grown as an annual, with edible, sour, arrow-shaped, mid- to dark green leaves and slender panicles of greenish-white to red flowers in summer.
Native to
Europe
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
Leaves are edible but should only be consumed in small quantities due to oxalic acid content. Leaves have a lemon-like flavour.
COLOUR
Flower
Maroon, Yellow-green in Spring; Yellow-green, Maroon in Summer; Yellow-green, Maroon in Autumn
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Green in Autumn
HOW TO CARE
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Harvest young leaves. Flavour intensifies as the leaves age. If grown for its leaves, remove any flower stalks that appear. Can be cut back low to rejuvenate.
Propagation
Sow in situ in spring. Divide every 3-5 years.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
WHERE TO GROW
Rumex scutatus (French sorrel ) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Drought tolerant once established. Site carefully as spreads aggressively by rhizomes and seed.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered