Succisa pratensis (Devil’s Bit Scabious)

Succisa pratensis (Devil’s Bit Scabious) has to be one of my favourite native wildflowers, since it is always covered in bees, hoverflies and butterflies (check out the picture of Orange tip butterfly on flower!) It’s also quite late flowering, typically August to September, by which time flowers on other plants are thin on the ground. The lilac pompoms wave cheerily on long stiff stems, no staking needed. Easy and reliable in full sun or part shade, and it self seeds too.