Pentanema squarrosum, commonly known as ploughman’s-spikenard, is a tall, hairy perennial herb native to a variety of habitats including grasslands, rocky outcrops, and open woodlands across Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. It typically grows up to 4 feet tall and is characterized by a basal rosette of coarse, lance-shaped leaves that resemble those of the foxglove before it sends up flowering stems. From July to September, it produces clusters of prominent yellow disc florets arranged in flat-topped corymbs, which are highly attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Ploughman’s-spikenard is valued for its wildlife-friendly flowers and its ability to thrive in poor soils, making it a suitable choice for wildflower meadows and naturalistic plantings. It is often used in gardens that aim to create a rustic or cottage-style aesthetic. This plant prefers calcareous, low-nutrient, well-drained soils and full sun to part shade conditions. While generally easy to maintain, it may require staking in very rich soils or windy sites to prevent the tall stems from falling over. It is not commonly afflicted by serious pests or diseases, but powdery mildew can occasionally be a problem in humid conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0