Six wildflower plant combinations
Discover how to use wildflowers to create informal but elegant planting schemes.
Wildflowers, such as cornflowers, scabious, and German chamomile are ideal for use in airy, informal planting schemes.
They're versatile too. Wildflowers work equally well in informal mini-meadows as they do in mixed borders, paired with perennials. Their value to wildlife can't be overstated, either. You can find out more about the best plants for bees and plants for butterflies, in our inspirational features.
Discover six beautiful wildflower plant combinations, below.
Ox-eye daisies, clover and bird's-foot-trefoil
Packed with nectar-rich blooms and floaty grasses, this combination is a real wildlife-pleaser. Ox-eye daises, white clover, red clover and bird's-foot-trefoil are scattered through the stems of the crested dog's tail grass (Cynosurus cristatus). You can achieve a similar effect by laying wildflower turf.
Agapanthus and corn cockles
Here, wild and cultivated blooms come together to provide pretty bursts of colour. We combined corn cockles with a deep blue agapanthus. Alternatively, try growing a cultivar like 'Midnight Dream', or other beautiful agapanthus cultivars.
Cornflowers and Salvia 'Amistad'
There are so many stunning salvias to grow. This combination pairs the deep purple blooms of Salvia 'Amistad' with a sprinkling of slender cornflowers. You could also try the mountain cornflower, or cornflower cultivars like 'Purple Heart' and 'Black Ball'.
Chamomile, corn marigolds and cornflowers
A combination of German chamomile, corn marigolds and cornflowers makes for an airy, cornfield-inspired display. The perennial English chamomile makes a good alternative to the German variety – both will release a refreshing floral aroma when brushed past or crushed.
Orlaya and briza
This graceful combination of greater quaking grass (Briza maxima) and Orlaya grandiflora is perfect for a sunny spot. Hoverflies love the pure white blooms, while the grass flowers will flutter beautifully with the slightest breeze.
Scabious and crown vetch
This pretty pairing of field scabious and crownvetch is bound to be a hit with bees. You could also replicate this look in a pot or container, by planting up a wildflower pot display.
More wildflowers to consider
- Field poppy (Papaver rhoeas)
- Betony (Stachys officinalis)
- Bladder campion (Silene vulgaris)
- Cowslip (Primula veris)
- Great mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
- Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
- Ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)
- Wild carrot (Daucus carota)
- Yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor)
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