Herbs for Wildlife & Pollinators

Chives ‘Bohemia’ – Seeds (Allium schoenoprasum) – Hardy Perennial

Chives ‘Bohemia’ is a hardy perennial herb, perfect for overwintering and providing fresh growth year after year. Known for its fine, hollow green leaves and mild onion flavor, it’s a versatile kitchen herb ideal for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes. In summer, attractive purple-pink flowers appear, loved by bees and pollinators, making this a decorative as well as useful garden plant.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April in pots or trays at 15–20°C.

• Sow outdoors: April – July in finely prepared soil.

• Thin or transplant seedlings to 20 cm apart.

• Prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.

• Cut regularly to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Hardy perennial herb with overwintering growth

• Fine, mild onion-flavored leaves

• Decorative purple flowers attract pollinators

• Easy to grow in pots, borders, or herb gardens

• Reliable year-round harvests

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes

• Herb gardens, borders, and containers

• Attracting bees and pollinators

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – July

• Harvest: May – October, with regrowth in spring

Quick Tip

Divide clumps every few years to maintain healthy growth and extend the lifespan of your chive plants.

Winter English Thyme – Seeds

(Thymus vulgaris)

Winter English Thyme is a hardy, aromatic perennial herb prized for its culinary and medicinal uses. Its evergreen foliage adds fragrance to the garden, while tiny, delicate flowers attract pollinators. Ideal for herb gardens, rockeries, or container planting, this versatile thyme provides year-round flavor and garden interest.

Why Grow Winter English Thyme?

• Aromatic evergreen foliage for culinary and medicinal use

• Hardy perennial suitable for year-round growth

• Attracts bees and pollinators

• Versatile for herb gardens, rockeries, and containers

Key Features

• Type: Perennial herb

• Height: 15–30 cm

• Flowers: Summer, small pink or purple blooms

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Herb gardens and culinary use

• Rockeries and container planting

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Evergreen groundcover and edging

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in prepared soil

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–20°C

• Spacing: 20–30 cm between plants

• Care: Low maintenance; trim regularly to maintain shape and encourage new growth

Creeping Thyme Seeds (Thymus serpyllum)

A fragrant and low-growing perennial, Creeping Thyme forms a dense mat of tiny evergreen leaves topped with clusters of purple-pink blooms in summer. Hardy and drought-tolerant, it’s ideal as ground cover, for filling gaps between paving stones, or spilling over rock walls. Highly attractive to bees and pollinators, it’s both ornamental and practical.

What Makes It Special

• Fragrant foliage and carpets of summer blooms

• Hardy, drought-tolerant, and evergreen ground cover

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and pollinators

Key Features

• Botanical name: Thymus serpyllum

• Hardy perennial, evergreen

• Height: 5–10 cm (2–4 in)

• Bloom time: Summer

Ideal For

• Ground cover and edging

• Rock gardens and between paving stones

• Pollinator-friendly landscapes and herb gardens

Sowing

• Sow indoors Feb–Apr or outdoors Apr–Jun

• Surface sow; press seeds gently, do not cover deeply

• Keep moist until germination (14–28 days at 15–20°C)

• Thin seedlings 15–20 cm apart

• Flowers the second year after sowing

Wild Bergamot – 1,300 Seeds (Monarda fistulosa)

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a hardy perennial known for its fragrant lavender-pink blooms and aromatic foliage. A favorite of pollinators, it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it perfect for pollinator gardens, borders, and wildflower meadows. Easy to grow and low-maintenance, it provides long-lasting color and texture from mid-summer to early autumn.

Why Grow "Wild Bergamot"

• Fragrant lavender-pink blooms

• Aromatic foliage with medicinal and culinary uses

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

• Hardy and low-maintenance perennial

Key Features

• Type: Perennial (Monarda fistulosa)

• Height: 60–90 cm

• Flowering: July–September

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Uses: Pollinator gardens, borders, wildflower meadows, cottage gardens

Ideal For

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Cottage-style or naturalized borders

• Wildflower meadows

• Herbal and sensory gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in prepared soil

• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings to 30–40 cm apart

• Prefers well-drained soil and full sun

• Deadhead to encourage prolonged flowering

German Chamomile – Seeds (Matricaria recutita)

Bring calm and fragrance to your garden with German Chamomile, a charming annual herb prized for its daisy-like white flowers and soothing aroma. Traditionally used for herbal teas and natural remedies, this variety is easy to grow, highly productive, and also attracts pollinators to your garden. A perfect choice for herb beds, borders, and pots.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April, lightly pressing seeds onto the surface of moist compost – do not cover as they need light to germinate
. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost, spacing 20–25 cm apart
. Alternatively, sow outdoors directly in April to May in well-drained soil
. Prefers a sunny position with average to light soil
. Water sparingly, as chamomile thrives in slightly dry conditions

Key Features

. Delicate white blooms with yellow centers
. Traditional herb for calming teas and remedies
. Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
. Easy to grow, tolerant of poor soils
. Ideal for borders, herb gardens, and containers

Ideal For

. Herbal tea lovers and home remedies
. Pollinator-friendly gardens
. Cottage gardens and borders
. Container growing

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: February – May
. Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Harvest flowers on warm, dry days and dry them for homemade chamomile tea with the best flavor and aroma.

Ramsons Wild Garlic – Seeds (Allium ursinum)

Ramsons Wild Garlic is a hardy perennial herb prized for its aromatic, garlicky leaves. Perfect for adding fresh, vibrant flavor to salads, pestos, soups, and sauces, it is a versatile addition to any herb or woodland garden. Its delicate white flowers also provide ornamental interest and attract pollinators.

This low-maintenance plant thrives in shaded, moist areas and can naturalize over time, creating a fragrant ground cover in suitable conditions.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: January – March

• Sow outdoors: March – May

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Partial to full shade, woodland-type environment

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells

Key Features

• Hardy perennial with aromatic, garlicky leaves

• Ideal for salads, pestos, soups, and sauces

• Attractive white flowers that attract pollinators

• Low-maintenance, naturalizes well in shaded areas

• Thrives in moist, fertile, well-drained soils

Harvest

• Harvesting period: March – May

• Pick young leaves before flowering for the best flavor.

Short Tip

Avoid harvesting all leaves at once; leave some for continued growth and flowering.

Borage – Seeds

(Borago officinalis) – Edible Flowers & Pollinator Magnet

Borage, also known as the starflower, is a fast-growing annual herb admired for its vivid blue, star-shaped flowers and fuzzy, cucumber-flavored leaves. A favorite of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, it makes an excellent addition to herb gardens, vegetable patches, or pollinator-friendly borders. Both flowers and young leaves are edible – perfect for garnishing salads, desserts, drinks, or freezing into ice cubes.

Key Features

• Plant type: Annual herb

• Height: 50–70 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowers: Bright blue, star-shaped

• Foliage: Grey-green, hairy leaves with cucumber flavor

• Position: Full sun to light shade

• Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Herb & cottage gardens

• Attracting pollinators (especially bees)

• Edible flowers & herbal teas

• Companion planting with tomatoes, strawberries, and courgettes

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: April–June, direct in soil, 1 cm deep.

• Germination: 7–14 days.

• Spacing: Thin to 30 cm apart.

• Flowering: June–September.

Care Tips

• Easy to grow and self-seeding – will naturalize readily.

• Pinch back growing tips for bushier plants.

• Collect flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.

• Water in dry spells but avoid overwatering.

Pot Marigold Dwarf ‘Sunset Buff’ – Apricot – 1,000 Seeds (Calendula officinalis)

The Dwarf Pot Marigold ‘Sunset Buff’ is a charming, compact variety producing apricot-peach blooms with soft golden undertones. Its warm pastel shades bring a unique elegance to beds, borders, and cottage gardens. Easy to grow and long-flowering, this hardy annual is also edible, with petals traditionally used to decorate salads or for natural dye.

Highlights

• Distinctive apricot–buff blooms with golden tones

• Compact, dwarf habit – perfect for pots and borders

• Long flowering season from early summer to autumn

• Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects

• Edible petals for salads and herbal uses

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis

• Variety: Dwarf ‘Sunset Buff’ (Apricot)

• Seed Count: 1,000 seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 25–30 cm tall, compact growth

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Flowering Period: June – October

Perfect For

• Bedding, borders, and cottage gardens

• Patio pots and containers

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Edible flower displays and herbal uses

Sowing Instructions

• Sow outdoors March–May or August–September for overwintering

• Sow directly into soil, lightly cover seeds

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart

• Deadhead regularly for prolonged flowering

Roman Chamomile – Seeds

(Anthemis nobilis)

Roman Chamomile is a low-growing perennial herb with delicate, daisy-like white flowers and a sweet apple-like fragrance. Perfect for borders, rockeries, and herb gardens, it is valued for its calming and medicinal properties. Easy to grow and drought-tolerant, it also attracts pollinators, making it a versatile and attractive addition to any garden.

Why Grow Roman Chamomile?

• Delicate white daisy-like flowers with a sweet fragrance

• Calming and medicinal herb

• Low-growing, spreading perennial

• Attracts bees and butterflies

Key Features

• Type: Perennial

• Height: 15–20 cm

• Flowers: Summer

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Herb gardens and medicinal plantings

• Borders, rockeries, and groundcover

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Low-maintenance fragrant displays

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Sow outdoors: March–May in prepared soil

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–20°C

• Spacing: 20–25 cm apart

• Care: Moderate watering; trim after flowering to maintain shape