Wildflower Plants A to Z
Choose from our entire range of over 100 wildflower plug plants, expertly grown in our very own nursery from high quality, UK native wildflower seed. Our wildflower plugs are ready to be planted straight out into your garden or meadow as soon as they arrive, all year round. Buying individual wildflower plants is one of the best ways to establish your chosen wildflower species, planted individually or as part of a more diverse meadow created from our range of wildflower seeds.
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Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Designed specifically to produce yellow rattle plants easily and quickly. Grown from our own quality-assured, fresh, UK native seed, our yellow rattle plugs are ready to be planted in your garden or meadow immediately upon on arrival in April.
Yellow rattle is a surprisingly musical meadow flower and a must for a wildflower garden: as a semi-parasitic plant, it requires robust neighbour plants like grasses and legumes, but also acts as a watchdog against vigorous weeds.. That's on top of the beauty of its golden, bell-shaped flowers, complete with a charming 'chime' as its ripened seed pods rattle in the breeze.
Our yellow rattle plug plants are grown from high-quality, British seed from wild meadow collections, and arrive ready to be planted complete with the essential meadow grasses.
- Type: Annual
- Height: 20–50cm.
- Flowers: May-September
- Soil Requirement: Moist or well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Grassland, meadows
- Also known as: Corn Rattle, Hay Rattle, Penny Grass
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Produces rosettes of leaves at the base of the stem leading up to its four pale pink petals. A flower that captures the essence of springtime; it's named because it blooms the same time you'd start to hear a Cuckoo's call.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30 – 50cm.
- Flowers: April - June
- Soil Requirement: Moist but well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun or partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Damp meadows, pond margins, riverbanks
- Also known as: Lady's-Smock, Cuckoo Bread, Mayflower
Named for its serrated, saw-like leaves, these tall-growing and hardy plants are a relative of the daisy, which you’d hardly believe from their violet, thistle-like flowers. They make a sharp statement in a wild meadow!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 70–120cm.
- Flowers: July-September
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, chalky
- Light Requirement: Full Sun or partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Meadows, Forest edges
- Also known as: Dyer's Plumeless Saw-Wort
These soft-looking, bright blue blooms pair perfectly with other fluffy-petalled flowers, especially in yellows and pinks, such as hawk-bit and knapweed. An excellent plant for pollinators; bees and butterflies go baa-rmy for them! Recommended for rockeries and rough meadows, or anywhere with sandy soil.
- Type: Biennial
- Height: 20-50cm.
- Flowers: May-September
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, sandy
- Light Requirement: Full Sun
- Natural Habitat: Grassland, clifftops, coastal areas
- Also known as: Shepherd’s Scabious
Roses are red, and you already knew of the Violet’s namesake shade of purplish-blue. This five-petalled flower’s beauty is well known, and in sun or in shade, it’s quite easily grown. It looks magical decorating the edge of a woodland garden, or beneath a small hedge- but this plant’s so simple, it’s easy to style it; for those who want blue, it just must be the Violet!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 5-10cm.
- Flowers: April-June
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun to full shade
- Natural Habitat: Grassland, woodland, hedgerows
- Also known as: Wood Violet
Although similar in looks to the stinging nettle, Red Deadnettle has harmless, heart-shaped foliage with a purple tint. As an early-blooming plant, these whorls of hooded flowers in ruby red to pinkish-purple are a prominent source of early pollen for bees as they build up their nest.
- Type: Annual
- Height: 5-30cm.
- Flowers: March - October
- Soil requirement: Moist
- Light requirement: Full sun, partial shade
- Natural habitat: Waste grounds, field edges, roadside verges
- Also known as: Purple Deadnettle, Purple Archangel
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Common Agrimony is an attractive, medium height meadow plant, consising of tall spires of star-shaped, sunny yellow flowers. An wildlife-friendly flower, it's attractive to pollinators as well as wild birds.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 40-80cm
- Flowers: June to September
- Soil requirement: Neutral, well-drained
- Light requirement: Full sun or partial shade
- Natural habitat: Southern UK, grassland, meadows, roadsides
- Also known as: Church Steeples, Sticklewort, Aaron's Rod, Clot-Bur, Fairy's Wand, Money-In-Both-Pockets, Salt-And-Pepper, Sweethearts
A tall-growing upright marsh flower, which grows plentiful parachutes of pink-and-white florets on red stems, and they’re also known for their pleasant perfume when cut. This whimsically-coloured wildflower is also perfect for pollinators!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 60–120cm.
- Flowers: July-September
- Soil Requirement: Damp
- Light Requirement: Full sun or partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Marshlands, river banks
- Also known as: Hemlock Parsley, Holy Rope, Raspberries-And-Cream, Water Agrimony
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Wild Angelica is a marshy wildflower boasting boisterous, tall-growing branches that are hairless and often tinted purple. Likewise, her bubbly bursts of bright white florets are often tinted with tiny pink spikes. The Wild Angelica was also once treasured as a decoration for cakes and confectionaries.
- Type: Perennial or biennial
- Height: 150–250cm.
- Flowers: July-September
- Soil Requirement: Moist but well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Damp meadows, wet woodlands, fenland
- Also known as: Garden Angelica, Wild Celery
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Though it prefers cool spots in the garden, the Water Avens are warmly-hued wildflowers, with gently nodding, burgundy stems and sepals- gorgeous enough on their own, but blooming into cups of peach-coloured petals that make the perfect addition to a pond-side palette!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30–45cm.
- Flowers: April-June
- Soil Requirement: Damp
- Light Requirement: Full sun to shade
- Natural Habitat: Coasts, woodlands, damp meadows
- Also known as: Chocolate Root, Indian Chocolate, Purple Avens
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Once named a 'blessed herb' for its uses in herbalism, this hardy, leafy plant can still bless your garden with small, star-shaped, buttery yellow blooms which add some extra brightness to a shady spot- as well as sweetness, as they're nectar-rich and ideal for pollinators.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30-60cm.
- Flowers: May-August
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Partial Shade
- Natural Habitat: Woods, hedgerows, roadsides
- Also known as: Herb Bennett, Colewort, St. Benedict's Herb, Blessed Herb
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Best known for their distinctly-shaped and aromatic leaves, the basil plant has a lot to provide inside the garden and out, as it produces whorls of royal purple and pink petals which are perfect for pollinators.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30-60cm.
- Flowers: July-September
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, calcareous
- Light Requirement: Full Sunlight
- Natural Habitat: Dry meadows, forests, hedgerows
- Also known as: Cushion Calamint
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
A rambling, hairless hedge plant, which produces clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers in fresh white. Noted for its sweet scent, this vigorous wildflower can grow quite tall when clambering alongside hedges and shrubs.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30–75cm.
- Flowers: July-August
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, calcarerous
- Light Requirement: Partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Woodlands, grasslands, hedgebanks
- Also known as: False Baby’s Breath, Whip Tongue, Wild Madder
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
As its name suggests, the Clustered Bellflower sprouts dense bursts of vivid violet-blue flowers. Each flower is its own brilliant bouquet, on top of being hardy and attractive to bees and butterflies!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30–75cm.
- Flowers: June-September
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, chalky
- Light Requirement: Partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, coastal cliffs
- Also known as: Dane’s Blood
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Though named for its nettle-like leaves, one mustn’t overlook the beauty of this bloom’s bells of pale, bluish-purple petals. Best planted in a dry, shady spot.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 50–100cm.
- Flowers: June-September
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun or partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Woodlands, hedgebanks
- Also known as: Blue Devils, Gloves Of Mary, Throatwort
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Spice up your garden with the quirky colours of the Borage. Its brilliant blue, star-shaped flowers and hairy, scarlet stems are attractive to pollinators and easy to grow with minimal fuss.
- Type: Annual
- Height: 30-60cm.
- Flowers: June-September
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun or partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Forest verges, meadows
- Also known as: Starflower Cool Tankard, Tailwort
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
The Great Burnet is a lively-looking plant, sporting crimson flower clusters atop tall, branching stems with distinct jagged leaves. They’re highly attractive to pollinators, and for a good reason; this wild-growing relative of the rose is not to be overlooked!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 45-90cm.
- Flowers: June-September
- Soil Requirement: Moist but well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun or partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Floodplains, meadows, riverbanks
- Also known as: Burnet Bloodwort
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
A smaller species of burnet with miniature, round red flowers growing in clusters, as well as edible toothed leaves which are pleasantly scented when crushed.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 20-50cm.
- Flowers: May-August
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Chalky grasslands
- Also known as: Garden Burnet, Pimpernelle, Toper’s Plant
The Creeping Buttercup has classic charm, with glossy yellow, five-petalled flowers on short stems covered with fine hairs. A natural attractant for pollinators, and it adds a wonderful golden glow to lawns, paths, and spots with loamy soil.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 20-50cm.
- Flowers: May-September
- Soil Requirement: Moist
- Light Requirement: Full sun or partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Damp grasslands, gardens, pastures
- Also known as: Lantern Leaves, Ram's Claws, Sit-Fast
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
The Meadow Buttercup is the tallest-growing of the buttercups, with a slight preference for damper ground. These bright and buttery, bowl-shaped blooms make an amazing addition to meadows!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30–90cm.
- Flowers: May-September
- Soil Requirement: Moist but well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun or partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Meadows, grasslands, road verges
- Also known as: Butter Daisy, Goldweed, Meadow Cup
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
An unusual yet distinct variant of campion, which has grey-tinted foliage and grows drooping, fresh white bladders veined with purple, and five-petalled flowers. A plant with a subtle, withdrawn beauty that also attracts bees and butterflies.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 20–60cm.
- Flowers: June-August
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Meadows, open forests, hedgerows
- Also known as: Cowbell, Maiden’s Tears
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
In spite of its name, the Red Campion boasts eye-catching fuschia petals, though planted with White Campion, they may produce precious, pastel-pink hybrids. Regardless, they make a welcome splash of colour in a shady spot, and they’re highly attractive to bees!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30-60cm.
- Flowers: April-September
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Partial Shade
- Natural Habitat: Hedgerows, woodlands
- Also known as: Hare’s Eye, Ragged Jack, Adder’s Flower
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
A coastal campion. Grows a bladder-like calyx coloured in coral, ending in bubbly white flowers which look brilliant washing over a rockery like sea foam.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 15–30cm.
- Flowers: June-August
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, sandy
- Light Requirement: Full sun or partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Coastal areas, cliffs
- Also known as: Sea Pink, Seaside Catchfly
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
This pristine white, five petalled perennial is also well known for producing a clovey scent at dusk, not only making it perfect for pollinators, but also making for a lovely plant indoors.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30-60cm.
- Flowers: May-October
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Partial Shade
- Natural Habitat: Roadside verges, hedgerows
- Also known as: Bull Rattle, White Cockle, White Robin
Choosing different wildflower plants by species gives you complete control over when you plant them, where you plant them and what the end result will be. And buying wildflower plug plants instead of seeds, means that you don't have to wait for them to germinate - perfect if speed is of the essence!
The full range of over 100 British wildflower plants species from Boston Seeds is available to buy online in trays of 25, 150 and 500 plug plants and all are available with nationwide delivery.
Want to learn more about the likes and dislikes of your favourite wildflower plants? Our handy wildflower species quide will tell you all you need to know - yours to download and keep for FREE.
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