Borage (Borago officinalis)
Perfect indigo blue stars atop hairy stems, the blooms of borage can be seen in July, attractive to bees and moths plus lots of other pollinators. The flowers are edible.
Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)
Also know as 'Hardheads', the thistle-like flowers were an English meadow staple and are adored by bees and pollinators. A great addition to any garden. Knapweed is a firm favourite of our pollinating insects, being a source of good quality nectar. And as well as supporting our bees, butterflies and beetles its seeds provide food for many birds.
Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)
Yellow and orange spires of flowers start to appear in June and by July are flowering, the orange lip of the flower acts as a nectar guide for the bees to lead to the plants pollination. Look closely to see if they are hosting the pretty caterpillar of the Toadflax Brocade Moth.
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
A cornfield annual, the bright blue open-faced flowers with ruffled edges and curly stamens sit at the end of delicate grey green stems. Loved by bees. The flowers are edible too.
Corn Marigold (Glebionis segetum)
Part of the aster family, these sunny blooms were once a common wildflower in cornfields, often referred to as gold in place names of old. We love them in a pot or garden border. Insects love them too.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Introduced to the UK in the 1600s, its name relates to its large sun-like flowers that remain open in the evening giving off a lovely scent. For this reason Evening primrose is fantastic for attracting moths and therefore bats to the garden.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
The heady fragrant sweetness of these flowers were once used to flavour the tipple mead. Meadowsweet will tolerate damp ground and slight shade and grows in most soil types.
Meadow Cranesbill (Geranium pratense)
A striking wildflower of the geranium family, it is particularly pretty in garden borders and window-boxes. Its eye-catching floral display also attracts a wide variety of bees and other pollinators. The large purple flowers of Meadow cranesbill turn into pointed, bill-like seed pods, which give the plant its common name.
Musk Mallow
The stem branches from the base, each carrying a single rose-pink flower, as the leaves grow up the stem they become more deeply cut whereas the basal ones are not. Bees love to visit the open flowers and collect pollen.
Red Campion (Silene dioica)
Also know as Red Catchfly, these pretty pink flowers have been flowering since May and will have started to go to seed, if you deadhead you can keep them flowering for longer. Lots of insects are attracted to the seed pods such as the chevron caterpillars of the Campion moth, which climb inside the cups to feed on the seeds safely hidden within.
Scabious (Knautia arvensis)
Starting to bloom in July, the pom-pom like flowers of lilac-mauve bob at the end of long stalks, giving rise to its other common name, Lady’s pincushions. Scabious will carry on flowering until the end of summer.
Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca)
A beautiful showy wildflower forming clusters of eye catching purple blue flowers. It grows happily in shade, under and around hedgerows as well as in lawn or on the edges of flower beds, they look lovely in hanging baskets. Its violet flowers are attractive to bumblebees, butterflies and moths.
Vipers Bugloss (Echium vulgare)
An absolute magnet for bees, it flowers all summer long, which makes for very happy bees.
Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)
Sumptuous in a flower border with the added bonus that insects adore the white umbelliferous flowerheads. Also know as Queen Anne's Lace.
Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare)
This pretty herb is adored by bees and butterflies, and will be buzzing with activity all summer long. The fresh leaves can be used in cookery too.
White Clover (Trifolium repens)
The latin ‘repens’ means creeping, which is what this little flower will do if given the chance, loved by bees and pollinators, look out for four-leafed clovers for luck! White clover will continue flowering until November. Great as part of a green roof or in wildflower lawn.
Yarrow (Alchillea millefollium)
The white flowers of yarrow will be opening in July. The ferny stems are tougher than they look and will die back in winter and come back again next summer. Many insects love the flowers of yarrow, making it great for wildlife and the plant has medicinal uses too.
