Ononis spinosa is a plant belonging to the family Fabaceae, that is commonly known as spiny restharrow or just restharrow. It is found throughout much of Europe including Britain, but seldom as far north as Scotland.
Spiny rest-harrow is resistant to disease and generally does not tend to develop illnesses. As for care, this plant is fairly low-maintenance. Planted outdoors it needs only light watering, and larger plants typically do not have to be pruned. Smaller plants, however, should be cut back after they finish blooming. Spiny rest-harrowt is appropriate for anyone with an outdoor area, such as a garden or a deck, and it does not require extensive care experience.
How to keep Ononis Spinosa.
Light
Spiny rest-harrow requires abundant sunlight throughout all stages of its development. Native to habitats with plentiful sunshine, its growth can be inhibited if it lacks adequate light. At the same time, it is hardy and can withstand occasional exposure to intense light without harm.
Water
Spiny rest-harrow is ideal for dry environments due to its remarkable drought tolerance. It needs watering only every 2-3 weeks, and the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Typically grown outdoors, spiny rest-harrow often thrives with just natural rainfall, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping in various climates.
Temperature
Spiny rest-harrow is indigenous to habitats with a wide temperature range, doing especially well between 41 to 95 °F (5 to 35 ℃). During colder months, a slight rise in surrounding temperature would improve its resilience.
Fertilizer
Timing is essential for fertilizing Spiny rest-harrow. Apply fertilizer in early spring and continue monthly through early summer. Fertilizer encourages attractive blooms and supplies energy during both dormant periods and active growth.
Pruning
Spiny rest-harrow is a resilient perennial plant that thrives with early spring pruning. This practice helps to stimulate growth and maintain its shape. To improve air circulation, trim away dead branches and thin out any crowded areas. Regular pruning also prevents legginess and encourages denser branching, resulting in a healthier and more attractive appearance.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Ononis
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 5-9
- Mature Height
- 61 cm
- Mature Spread
- 61 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Pink
- Flower Size
- 1.02 cm to 1.27 cm
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Autumn, Winter
- Harvest Time
- Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Other names.
Reader questions.
What is the best way to water my Spiny rest-harrow plant?
To ensure excellent root development, consider placing a garden hose at the base of your plants. Be cautious not to directly spray the leaves, as this can be detrimental. If your plants are placed outdoors and exposed to direct sunlight, it is important to provide them with additional watering, particularly for the leaves. There are various methods you can use to moisten the roots, such as using bubblers for each plant or employing soaker hoses that cover the entire garden or bed. When adding or removing plants, make sure to push the roots deeply into the soil. Remember to drain any excess water and allow the soil to dry before watering again. To prevent diseases, it is advisable to water at ground level rather than spraying from above. On a sunny day, consider giving the entire bush a light spray of water. Whether your plants are potted or in the ground, keep in mind that Spiny rest-harrows benefit from deep watering rather than light sprinkling.
What are the sunlight requirements for Spiny rest-harrow?
Spiny rest-harrow requires above 6 hours of sunlight daily, thriving best under full sun conditions. It's important to observe the movement of sunlight through your garden to identify areas that provide a balance of light and shade, ensuring the plants receive the necessary amount of sunlight for optimal growth. In its natural habitat, Spiny rest-harrow is accustomed to abundant sunshine, and lack of sufficient sunlight may stunt its growth despite its resilience to occasional intense light exposure.
What is the native environment and temperature range for Spiny rest-harrow?
Spiny rest-harrow, with its botanical name Ononis spinosa, thrives in environments that have a broad temperature range, specifically from 41 to 95 °F (5 to 35 °C). This adaptability makes it well-suited to various climates, particularly thriving in conditions within this temperature range. During the colder months, a slight increase in ambient temperature can enhance its resilience, underlining the plant's strong cold resistance. Despite this resistance, when winter temperatures are expected to drop below -25°C, taking steps to provide cold protection is advisable, such as wrapping the trunk and branches with non-woven fabric or cloth. Additionally, watering the plant abundantly before the first freeze in autumn is recommended to ensure the soil remains moist and enters a frozen state, which helps prevent drought and water scarcity during winter and early spring.
What should I do if I give Spiny rest-harrow too much or too little water?
If a Spiny rest-harrow is overwatered, its leaves may turn yellow, drop off, and wilt. The plant may also appear dull and unhealthy, with mushy stems. Adjust your watering schedule when you notice these signs. Wilting can also indicate under watering, which causes leaves to become crispy and dry. When the soil is dry, giving the plant a thorough watering is necessary. However, even with enough water, the damaged root system may cause the plant to remain dry and have yellow leaves for a few days. Once it recovers, the yellowing of leaves will stop. When growing the Spiny rest-harrow indoors, regularly check the moisture levels in the pot to avoid overwatering. Look for signs of black spots; if present, allow the soil to dry out for a few days. Overwatering can lead to root rot, indicated by discolored and slimy roots. If this occurs, consider transferring the plant to a different pot and prevent soil from becoming too soggy. When planting the Spiny rest-harrow outdoors, ensure the soil is adequately watered if it feels too dry.
Can artificial lighting be used for Spiny rest-harrow, and what are the recommendations?
Yes, artificial lighting can be used for Spiny rest-harrow, especially when natural sunlight is insufficient. Indoor plants require adequate lighting for optimal growth. LED lights are recommended because they can be customized to provide specific wavelengths of light needed by the plants. Full sun plants need 30-50W/sq ft, partial sun plants need 20-30W/sq ft, and full shade plants need 10-20W/sq ft of artificial light. The light source should be placed 12-36 inches above the plant to mimic natural sunlight, and most plants need 8-12 hours of light per day.
How does Spiny rest-harrow react to low temperatures?
Spiny rest-harrow showcases remarkable cold tolerance, prospering best when the temperature remains above 5°C. During the winter months, it is advised to ensure temperatures do not fall below -20°C. Despite its cold resilience, when temperatures plummet below -25°C, Spiny rest-harrow may not exhibit immediate visible damage during the winter itself. However, come spring, the aftermath becomes apparent as the branches may turn brittle, dry, and fail to sprout new shoots. In response to such conditions, pruning away the dead, unproductive branches during spring promotes the plant's recovery and encourages new growth.
How frequently do I need to water my Spiny rest-harrow?
The Spiny rest-harrow prefers deep, infrequent watering. When planted in pots, it is especially important to soak them in a gallon of water each time, as the water storage in pots is limited and the soil dries out quickly. In cold regions, watering is needed every 3 to 5 days, ideally in the morning when the soil is dry. You can check if watering is necessary by examining the soil and watering when the top 2-3 inches are dry. On hot days, the soil in the pot may dry out rapidly, so it's important to check the moisture daily. If you have a garden, irrigation is necessary as well. In hot climates, watering once a week is recommended. Only water when you notice that about 2 to 3 inches of soil become too dry. Avoid adding water if there has been sufficient rainfall to prevent root rot. Spiny rest-harrow typically grows during spring and fall, so adding mulch about 3 to 4 inches deep when they are outdoors helps to conserve water. Sandy soil requires more frequent watering due to faster drainage, while clay soil needs less frequent watering to avoid root rot. It can be helpful to mark the date on the calendar whenever you water and pay attention to any drooping leaves as a sign that you may need to water a day earlier.
What are the symptoms of insufficient or excessive sunlight in Spiny rest-harrow?
Symptoms of insufficient sunlight include small leaves, leggy or sparse growth, faster leaf drop, slower or no new growth, and lighter-colored new leaves, indicating a lack of chlorophyll and essential nutrients. Excessive sunlight exposure can cause chlorosis, sunscald, leaf curling, wilting, and leaf scorching. These symptoms reflect the plant's struggle to adapt to inappropriate light levels, affecting its health and growth.
What should be done if Spiny rest-harrow is exposed to high temperatures?
During the summer, it is crucial to monitor and ensure that the temperature surrounding Spiny rest-harrow does not exceed 35°C. Exposure to temperatures above 38°C can lead to signs of distress, such as the leaves becoming lighter in color, the tips drying out and withering, and increased susceptibility to sunburn. To mitigate these adverse effects, it is recommended to trim away the sunburnt and dried parts of the plant. Relocating the plant to a spot that offers shade during the midday and afternoon sun, or using a shade cloth, can provide the necessary protection. Additionally, maintaining soil moisture is essential, and watering the plant in the morning and evening can help achieve this balance, ensuring the plant remains healthy and hydrated.
How much water should I give my Spiny rest-harrow plant?
The Spiny rest-harrow has specific watering needs. For potted plants, it's recommended to water them deeply until water begins to drip from the bottom of the pot. Allow the soil to dry before watering again. You can use a water calculator or moisture meter to determine the right amount to give your plant each week. During the flowering period, provide plenty of water, but make sure to allow the moisture to evaporate afterwards to prevent root rot. If your Spiny rest-harrow is planted outdoors and receives adequate rainfall, it may not need additional watering. However, when it is young or newly planted, it should receive about 1-2 inches of rain per week. As it grows, it can rely solely on rainfall. Only when the weather is very hot or there is no rainfall for 2-3 weeks should you consider giving it a full watering during the cooler part of the day to prevent heat damage. Extra watering may be needed during extended dry periods.
What solutions can help Spiny rest-harrow receive adequate sunlight?
To ensure Spiny rest-harrow receives adequate sunlight, gradually move plants to sunnier locations until they get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. For indoor plants, use a south-facing window and keep curtains open. Consider using artificial light if the plant is large or not easily moveable, keeping a lamp on for at least 8 hours daily. Outdoors, avoid sudden changes in light; gradual relocation helps prevent sunburn. If sunlight is blocked by obstacles, prune or transplant the plants during their dormant period to a sunnier spot with good drainage. Note that parts of the plant affected by insufficient light may not recover, but new growth should be healthy once proper light exposure is achieved.
Should I change how often I water my Spiny rest-harrow based on the time of year or the weather?
The Spiny rest-harrow thrives in outdoor environments with rainfall, but it can tolerate dry weather as well. During the spring and fall growing seasons, the soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged, with alternating dry and moist conditions being beneficial for growth. In summer, hot weather can cause water to evaporate quickly, so additional watering may be required if there is a lack of rainfall. Conversely, the Spiny rest-harrow needs less water during winter when it goes dormant. A well-draining soil mixture like terracotta can help with moisture evaporation during this period. Once the plant begins to leaf out in spring, watering can be skipped as it can rely on fall and winter rains to survive its dormant period. To promote growth and blooming when the temperature warms up, cultivation can be done after spring. Good drainage is essential throughout the year to avoid ponding or drought, especially during winter. When planted in pots, the Spiny rest-harrow has limited root growth and should be well-watered, especially during summer. Shallow sprinkles should be avoided, as they encourage the growth of fungi and don't reach the roots effectively. In fall and winter, the plants should not be allowed to dry out completely, even in dormancy. Overwatering should be avoided to prevent waterlogging, which can be fatal during winter. Mulching can be beneficial in reducing stress, conserving water, and promoting healthy blooms.