Wildflower Seeds A to Z
From Agrimony right the way though to Yellow-rattle, there's a whole host of wildflower seeds you can choose from if a particular look is what you're going for. Each type of wildflower has its own unique set of qualities. Whether you're keen to create a meadow full of sunkissed golden wildflowers with healing properties like that of St John's-wort or you want a wildflower garden that looks pretty in pink when dressed in Greater Knapweed or Purple Loosestrife - we've got you covered.
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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.
A perennial wildflower with an aromatic presence. Cowslip displays a rosette of green, tongue-like leaves upon a green stem. The flowers are deep yellow with orange markings in the center, similar to an egg yolk.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 10-30cm
- Flowers: April-May
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun and partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Meadows, grassland, woodland edges, verges
- Also known as Cowslip Primrose, Oxlip
- Seeds per gram: 1100
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
An aromatic perennial with masses of dark purple buds that turn into paler flowers. The leaves are an oval shape and can be found in opposite pairs on the Squarish, red tinted stem. A very attractive pollinating plant.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30-60cm
- Flowers: July-September
- Best Sown: Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Chalk limestone grassland. road verges, hedge banks
- Also known as: Cooking herb Oregano
- Seeds per gram: 10000
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
An extra-tall plant which bears a band of little, lavender-coloured florets around its better-known spiky round flower head. An excellent wild garden plant, as it grows and naturalises well in any environment, and its seed heads are known for attracting birds and pollinating bugs, for those happy to co-exist with nature!
- Type: Biennial
- Height: 60-200cm
- Flowers: July-August
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, moist
- Light Requirement: Full sun and partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, river banks, woodlands
- Also known as: Adam’s Flannel, Shepherd’s Staff, Venus’ Basin
- Seeds per gram: 350
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
The Meadow Cranesbill is a delightfully airy flower, with violet and blue flowers growing in pairs on tall, forked stems, as well as attractive, beak-like seed pods from which it gets its name. Well-loved by bees and other pollinators, and it’s very easy to naturalise!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 60-100cm
- Flowers: June-September
- Best Sown: Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun and partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Meadows, road verges
- Also known as: Crowfoot, Meadow Geranium
- Seeds per gram: 120
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Produces highly distinct, spoon-shaped cream petals and crinkly foliage, accented by attractive maroon stems and stamens. A subtle but sublime specimen that’s great for pollinators. Recommended for stone gardens and hedgerows.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30-50cm
- Flowers: July-September
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Woodland, heathland, coasts
- Also known as: Garlic Sage, Hind Heal
- Seeds per gram: 1600
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Named after its serpentine appearance, bearing a long, speckled stem, not only bearing thin, pale thorns to watch out for, but spikes of azure flower heads and long red stamens, like a snake’s head preparing to strike. Have trust in them, though, and they’ll provide you with beautiful border blooms that are actually a favourite of bees and butterflies!
- Type: Biennial
- Height: 25-75cm
- Flowers: June-September
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Grassland, coastal, heathland
- Also known as: Blue Devil, Cat’s Tail, Snake Flower
- Seeds per gram: 230
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
These showy spires of violet and royal blue have an airy quality that lives up to their alternate name, ‘Bird Vetch’, with its tube-shaped blooms and long, oval-shaped tendrils both appearing quite feathery. It’s quite a climber, and thrives the most when planted with other tall flora to support it. Sports the same, familiar seed pods as others in the pea family, but when ripe, they turn deep black!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 60-120cm
- Flowers: June-August
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Hedgerows, river banks, woodlands
- Also known as: Bird Vetch, Canada Pea, Tine Grass
- Seeds per gram: 100
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
This Perennial plant is a part of the Clover and Pea family. A Scrambling plant that is seen through grassy areas. yellow flowers with a pea- like appearance. The plant has a weak aroma. The leaves consist of a single pair of leaflets with tendrils. Fruit a blackish hairless pod to 4cm long.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 50-100cm
- Flowers: May-August
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Wet and moist
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Meadows, woodland edges, shrubs
- Also known as: Meadow Pea
- Seeds per gram: 100
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
A tall perennial with lower leaves that resemble nettle leaves and large purple bell-shaped flowers that droop from the top. Tall, hairy perennial that flowers in the height of summer and attracts beneficial pollinators and insects.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 50-100cm
- Flowers: July-September
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Partial Shade
- Natural Habitat: Open deciduous woods, scrub and hedgerows
- Also known as: Bats-in-the-Belfy, Throatwort
- Seeds per gram: 4000
A smaller breed of sorrel, bearing tiny flowers in red and pink. Its colours add a lot of flavour to the garden, and its leaves can be used as flavourings in food. Self-seeding.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 7-25cm
- Flowers: May-August
- Best Sown: Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, acidic
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, woodlands, verges
- Also known as: Sour Weed
- Seeds per gram: 2500
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
The distinctly-shaped and aromatic leaves of the basil plant surely need no introduction, but gardeners may be pleasantly surprised at their flowers, which bloom in whorls of royal purple and pink. As a plant beloved by pollinators and with plenty of uses outside of the garden, this wildflower has something to offer for just about anyone!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30-60cm
- Flowers: July-September
- Best Sown: Autumn
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, calcareous
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Dry meadows, forests, hedgerows
- Also known as: Cushion Calamint
- Seeds per gram: 2500
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
A perennial plant that much prefers growing in woodlands, hedgerows and along roadside verges. The flowers are a deep beetroot purple with white blotchy detailing on the petals. This plant has a hairy, crimson-tinted stem, it is also loved by pollinating species due to it aromatic presence.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30-90cm
- Flowers: June-September
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Partial and full shade
- Natural Habitat: Woodland, hedgerows, roadside verges
- Also known as: Wood Woundwort, Hedge Nettle, Red Archangel, Whitespot
- Seeds per gram: 1000
A grass-like perennial Wildflower with a 5cm spike of small vanilla scented pale pinkish-purple flowers. The stem of this wildflower is hairy towards the base. The leaf surface is hairy, although more so on the underside. Good reliable meadow subject.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 20-30cm
- Flowers: June-August
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Natural grassland, pasture, hay meadows
- Also known as: Narrowleaf Plantain
- Seeds per gram: 2000
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
A sharp and showy-looking flower, blooming into starburst-shaped, thistle-like magenta florets. The Greater Knapweed is hardy and tall-growing- grow it alone to let its brambly beauty shine forth and attract plenty of butterflies, or contrast it with softer-shaped wildflowers, like the ox-eye daisy.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 40-90cm
- Flowers: June-September
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun and partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, cliff-sides
- Also known as: Black Top
- Seeds per gram: 130
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
For those with wildflower gardens, the dandelion-like, bright bursting yellow rosettes of the Autumn Hawkbit are a good way to bring in some extra sunshine. A long-lived and hardy wetland plant beloved by bees, and its seeds are also attractive to finches!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 15-50cm
- Flowers: July-September
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Moist
- Light Requirement: Full sun and partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, rocky ridges, pathways.
- Also known as: Fall Dandelion
- Seeds per gram: 1000
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
The Rough Hawkbit’s sunburst-styled yellow florets are similar to that of the dandelion, but are distinguished by their larger heads with shades of red and orange on the outer florets, as well as coarse hair on the stem and leaves. A wildflower with a lot of warmth, and a lot of fragrance which helps to attract pollinators!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 15-50cm
- Flowers: June-October
- Best Sown: Autumn
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, sandy
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, rocky ridges, pathways.
- Also known as: Greater Hawkbit
- Seeds per gram: 900
A wildflower with a lot of flavour! Spice up the garden with slender spires of small, scarlet blooms, which sometimes grow in a sweeter pink colour. It also bears attractive, oval leaves that taste tart when eaten. Self-seeds freely, so take care while you pepper them around.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 15-60cm
- Flowers: May-August
- Best Sown: Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, woodlands, verges
- Also known as: Sour Ducks, Vinegar Plant
- Seeds per gram: 2000
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Produces soft clusters of bluish-lilac florets, with shapely, longer outer florets. Though it appears dainty and delicate, it’s a tall-growing, hardy perennial that makes for an excellent meadow flower, especially when paired with other pastel-petalled wildflowers!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30-90cm
- Flowers: July-September
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, verges
- Also known as: Black Soap, Egyptian Rose, Lady’s Cushion
- Seeds per gram: 130
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Produces fiery, technicolour pom-poms in an array of colours from buttery yellow to rich red, tinting clover-like, wooly white calyces. It has a long flowering period, making it a brilliant bloom to brighten beds all summer long.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 7-15cm
- Flowers: May-October
- Best Sown: Autumn
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, chalky
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, verges, coastal areas
- Also known as: Devil’s Claws, Mary’s Fingers, Woundwort
- Seeds per gram: 350
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Produces clumps of buttery yellow, star-shaped flowers with long, showy stamens that are good for attracting bees, butterflies and other pollinators. A flower of great religious importance and widely known for medicinal uses.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30-60cm
- Flowers: June-September
- Best Sown: Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, moist
- Light Requirement: Full sun and partial shade
- Natural Habitat: River banks, meadows, hedgerows
- Also known as: Cammock, Devil’s Scourge, Rosin Rose
- Seeds per gram: 9000
A perennial plant that is a relation of the Daisy. This plant has the appearance of a thistle, but without the spines. The name Saw-Wort comes from the serrated edge of the leaves thus having a Saw-like appearance. The Saw-wort has purple flower heads and sit in branched clusters.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 70-120cm
- Flowers: July-September
- Best Sown: Autumn or Spring
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, chalky
- Light Requirement: Full sun and partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, open woods
- Also known as: Dyer's plumeless saw-wort
- Seeds per gram: 400
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
A gorgeous addition to a wildflower garden, bearing spikes of rich purple and red petals, alongside distinct and attractive foliage. Its flowers are also known to attract bees and butterflies and they used to be planted in churchyards for spiritual protection. They grow well in any light, with an affinity for damp soil.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 30-60cm.
- Flowers: June-August
- Best Sown: Autumn
- Soil Requirement: Moist but well-drained
- Light Requirement: Full sun or partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Grassy meadows, river banks
- Also known as: Bishops’s Wort, Wood Betony, Common Hedgenettle
- Seeds per gram: 600
Light up woodland edges with Dames Violet, creating a smooth lilac, delicate flower. Excellent for naturalising, they can be found in woodland areas and borders to attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators with it's sweet scent.
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 60-90cm
- Flowers: May-August
- Best Sown: Autumn
- Soil requirement: Well-drained, moist
- Light requirement: Full sun and partial shade
- Natural habitat: Hedgerows, wood edges, wasteground
- Also known as: Damask, Queen's Gilliflower, Sweet Rocket
- Seeds per gram: 1,250
Plants for Pollinators highlights plants selected by the RHS as scientifically proven to tackle the declines in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Though its pincushion-like, protruding anthers amidst indigo petals seem a little strange, we promise there’s nothing diabolical about the devil’s-bit scabious. In fact, its name comes from its shallow roots, which according to folklore were bitten short out of jealousy for the flower’s beauty… and, being pollen-rich and beloved by bees, it’s safe to say this flower is actually a devilishly good addition to a garden!
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 50-80cm
- Flowers: June-September
- Best Sown: Autumn
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, moist
- Light Requirement: Full sun and partial shade
- Natural Habitat: Bogs, woodland, heathlands
- Also known as: Blue Bonnets, Bobby Bright Buttons, Fore-Bit
- Seeds per gram: 600
Maybe you're looking for something a little more unusual that's a firm favourite with the bees, in which case an ocean blue garden of Borage is what you need. Or what about the Devil's-bit Scabious? A funky looking plant that isn't half as hellish as it sounds.
All of the wildflower seeds we supply here at Boston Seeds are UK native and many of which are certified as Plants for Pollinators by the Royal Horticultural Society. So, not only will you have the most amazing wildflower garden, you'll being seriously doing your bit for the environment, too.
To learn more about each of the plant varieties we supply, check out our Guide to Wildflower Species here.
Have a question about a particular wildflower? Check out our wildflower seed advice pages for more info.
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