Wildflowers have been all the rage the last few years…and rightly so in our opinion! Not only are they incredibly beautiful but they are also helping our natural eco-systems and providing nectar for our valued pollinators.
We believe that every garden and allotment should be doing everything possible to help our pollinators but we also understand that it is not always easy to set aside a patch of growing space for the typical wildflower area. The good news is that it is not just our traditional wildflowers that attract pollinators – there are lots of herbs that do the job just as well and, as herbs are edible, we can use them in our kitchens too so why not plant up some beautiful herbs to make a wildflower patch with a twist!
Here are a few of our favourites. They can be planted either in a formal/ornamental way or to create that ‘wild’ look they can simply be mixed in together.
Hyssop – Has a really similar look to lavender. It has edible leaves and flowers but the leaves are most often used. Hyssop also makes a lovely low hedge/edging plant. Plant some hyssop for the bees, moths and butterflies who will flock to your garden for these lovely purple flowers.
Calendula – The petals can be used as ‘poor mans saffron’ but the orange, daisy like flowers are gorgeous – keep deadheading the blooms as they fade and these plants really keep going right through to autumn. Calendula will also self seed so you never have to buy seeds again!
Thyme – Thyme is most often used as a cooking ingredient but bees also love the pretty pink flowers in summer.
Chives – Think miniature alliums! The bees adore chive flowers which can also be picked and used for chive blossom vinegar! Chives will come back every year and if you sow in small clumps, when the clumps get bigger you can split them up so you really do get some bang for your buck!
Dill – Used as a herb but the pollinators really love the flowers which will also add height and structure to the border. The flower heads are also great for the cutting garden.
Lemon Balm – A great cooking ingredient but will also attract bees and butterflies to your garden who love the tiny flowers in the summer
Chamomile – We grow ours to use in a relaxing cup of tea but chamomile also attracts bees and other beneficial insects to your garden and it’s small, daisy like flowers provide a romantic touch to your new edible pollinator patch!
So why not plant up your own patch of ‘wild’ flowers with a twist!