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Rumex acetosa (Common sorrel)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Rumex acetosa
Other names
Common sorrel, Sour dock, Sour grass, Sour leek, Patriot's blood, Sharp dock, Sorrel dock, Garden sorrel, Green sauce, Sorrel
Genus
Rumex Rumex
Species
R. acetosa - R. acetosa is an erect, clump-forming perennial with edible, oblong, mid-green leaves and narrow panicles of red flowers in summer.
Rumex acetosa is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
Flower
Red in Summer
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
Can be difficult to eradicate or control. Cut back after flowering and prior to seed setting to avoid self-seeding.
Propagation
This plant usually dies after flowering and producing seeds. However, seeds germinate easily and plenty of seedlings will grow around the original plant.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Rumex acetosa (Common sorrel) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in any well-drained soil in full sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
This plant can hold its own against big bold plants such as hostas and acanthus.
Botanical name
Rumex acetosa
Other names
Common sorrel, Sour dock, Sour grass, Sour leek, Patriot's blood, Sharp dock, Sorrel dock, Garden sorrel, Green sauce, Sorrel
Genus
Rumex Rumex
Species
R. acetosa - R. acetosa is an erect, clump-forming perennial with edible, oblong, mid-green leaves and narrow panicles of red flowers in summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
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Colour
Flower
Red in Summer
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
Can be difficult to eradicate or control. Cut back after flowering and prior to seed setting to avoid self-seeding.
Propagation
This plant usually dies after flowering and producing seeds. However, seeds germinate easily and plenty of seedlings will grow around the original plant.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Rumex acetosa (Common sorrel) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in any well-drained soil in full sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Rumex acetosa (Common sorrel)
Common pest name
Corn borer; Corn moth; European corn borer; European maize borer; European stalk borer; Maize pyralid
Scientific pest name
Ostrinia nubilalis
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Present (Limited)
Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Polyphagous boring pest present in the UK since the 1930’s. A maize-affecting race was detected for the first time in 2010. Industry may wish to monitor for its presence and mitigate against impacts.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
This plant can hold its own against big bold plants such as hostas and acanthus.
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Rumex acetosa
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