Going native when it comes to gardening is a no-brainer.
Selecting flowers, plants and shrubs that are indigenous to the region to sow and grow will come naturally to the local environment, which will contribute to a hassle and stress free experience.
Whereas invasive plants will wreak havoc on the environment.
Planting native flowers has a host of benefits including increasing biodiversity, which in turn has a ripple effect on the ecosystem by providing food for bees, butterflies and other pollinators throughout the year.
It also helps reducing and mitigating flooding, helping to fight disease and combating climate change, including extinction, according to the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-UK).
READ MORE: What to plant in March and April – crucial flowers, herbs and vegetables to sow
Six native wildflowers with ‘delicate charm’ that are ‘trouble-free’
1. Snake’s head fritillary
Named after its similar appearance to its namesake and coming in a variety of colours, this stunning flower is native to central southern England and East Anglia where it is restricted to wet meadows, especially those managed for hay, according to RHS.
Fritillaria seeds ripen in mid to late summer and are best sown as soon as ripe or soon after in autumn, according to The Fritillaria Group.
2. Primrose
Coming in a variety of forms, hybrids and colours, this favourite flower can be found across the whole of Britain and Ireland in a range of shady places, according to RHS.
Many varieties of primula, including varieties of Polyanthus and Auricula, are best sown between February to April. A light frost can help germination, however, experts warn against planting too early, and in colder areas, hold off until April, according to Horticulture Magazine.
3. Pasque flower
As hinted at in its name, the bloom of this spring flower has traditionally been seen as a welcome sign of Easter.
The flower thrives in “well-drained soil in full sun and takes a while to become established and resents being disturbed,” according to Gardeners World.
It is also an ideal flower to sow in raised beds, according to RHS.
4. Stinking iris
Known for attracting bees, this perennial plant is tolerant of shade and drought and can be found across the southern part of England and north Wales, where it is found in woods, along hedgerows and on sea cliffs, mostly on limey soils, according to RHS.
The name also alerts gardeners to the fact that it can emit a particularly unpleasant yet not overwhelming scent when plant tissue is damaged, according to Norfolk Cottage Garden.
They can be sown at more or less any time in moist soil, but ideally should be planted in Autumn, and flower in late spring and summer.
5. Stinking hellebore
Billed as a “distinctive early-flowering perennial” with bold features, this floral can fit in with both winter and spring specimen, according to RHS. It adds that it is mainly found in the south and west and usually in woodland clearings and hedgerows on thin, limey soil.
It is best to plant from autumn to spring, however, it can be planted at any time of year. Although experts recommend avoiding dry summer months.
6. Golden shield fern
Billed as “bold, tough and impressive fern” that is considered “very low maintenance,” this plant does well in shade and tolerates drought once established.
It is found all over the whole of the British Isles, usually in deciduous woods, along rides in conifer forests and in other partially shaded areas, usually on lime-free soil.
It is best to plant ferns between April and October, and, as a rule, do not need any pruning, and are renowned for being very low maintenance, according to Jacksons Nurseries.
