A Sample

Tufted_Vetch

Below are some of the native, wildflower plants to be found at The Wildflower Patch. Depending on the season, you may encounter, see and touch them, or catch their lovely scents, during your outdoor counselling.

 

Tufted Vetch (left) – Viccia cracca – is a climber and clamberer which covers, for instance, a tree stump. Its mass of blue flowers last from summer to autumn and are visited by bees galore. It thrives in sunny and partially shaded spots.

Knapweed

Knapweed – Centaura scabiosa – these sprout up from nooks and crannies from July. They can grow to a metre tall with many bright flower heads, loved by bees and other insects – this one can put in an appearance almost anywhere!

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Giant Bellflower – Campanula latifolia – can regularly be seen reaching elegant heights. In the wild, it is a woodland plant so used to shadier as well as more open spots. It grows in most soils, even clay.

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Deptford Pink – Dianthus armeria – is listed as rare in the wild tho’ once established can seed itself prolifically. The tiny, delicate flowers are an exquisite, deep pink in early summer. Several popping up close together make a splendid spectacle…even a single plant  appearing between paving slabs, in rocky or clay beds inspires admiring comments.

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Yellow Pimpernel – Lysimachia nemora – is another woodland plant, providing a carpet of dense, lush ground cover.  With almost evergreen leaves and a myriad of bright yellow flowers from spring to autumn, it tolerates shade and drier soil.

Devils_Bit_Scabious

Devil’s Bit Scabious – Succisia pratensis –  has pom-pom-like flower heads which appear in late summer, last well into autumn and are loved by hoverflies. The plant grows well in damper areas of the garden and partial shade.

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Ragged Robin – Lychnis flos-culi – is an old favourite and another one liking damper ground. The beautiful, lacy flowers on upright stems grow to adult knee height and  often survive even the first frost.

Betony

Betony – Betonica officinalis – is possibly an all time favourite: grows readily in the ground or a patio pot; distinctive flowers are loved by bees, hoverflies and the like; its crinkly leaves last almost all year ’round – a winner all ’round.

Toadflax

Toadflax – Linaria vulgaris – is the native snapdragon or antirrhinum and also grows very easily. It is another attractive one for bees and the striking flowers can be seen from mid summer ’til the first frost – a plant with poise.

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Lady’s Bedstraw Galium verum – was traditionally used to fill mattresses. The Virgin Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus, lying on a bed of this straw. The ground covering plant has a wonderful, delicate, sweet scent and seeds itself naturally between paving cracks and the like.

Rock_Rose

Rock Rose – Helianthemum nummularium – is, as the name suggests, lovely in the rockery, or other sunny spot. The seemingly endless buds turn into golden flowers, the plant thriving, even in the driest soil.

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Field Scabious – Knautia arvensis – is a plant with multiple flowers, each visited by any number of bees…the buzzing of which has to be heard to be believed.

Wild_Chamomile

Wild Chamomile – Chamaemulum nobile – a familiar and greatly appreciated aroma for many of us – said to help with relaxation and rest. Another good ground covering plant with lovely flowers too.

Kidney_Vetch

Kidney Vetch – Anthyllis vulneraria – is seen in coastal areas as well as inland with its distinctive gold/yellow flowers. A food plant for the (increasingly rare) ‘common’ blue butterfly.

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Meadow SaxifrageSaxifraga granulata – dainty flowers appear spring to early summer – A.K.A. ‘Pretty Maids’ and a lovely bee plant – partial shade and will tolerate drier soil.

vipers bugloss

Viper’s BuglossEchium vulgare – can flower from May to September even in drier, sandy or chalky ‘bald’ patches and is the food plant of several bee and butterfly species. Some of these grow to graceful heights.

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Night Flowering Catchfly – Silene noctiflora – is an interesting plant the stems of which have tiny, fly trapping hairs. The flowers are an unusual colour and smell wonderful when open in the evening, hence a good one for the moths.

l periwinkle

Lesser Periwinkle – Vinca minor – can be evergreen and flower in both spring and autumn. The plant is skilled producing garlands of flowers which smother weeds, even deep shade. It even grows in clay.