Common Knapweed Centaurea nigra, also known as Lesser Knapweed, Black Knapweed or Hardheads.
This must be one of our favourite Wildflowers at Wildacres and we have many!
Red Tailed Bumblebees on Lesser Knapweed at Wildacres
Why?…Well there are so many reasons to love this
“Purple Prince” of Wildflowers!
Peacock Butterfly on Knapweed at Wildacres
This stunning (thornless) thistle-like wildflower has iridescent pink-purple flower heads.
It continuously flowers over an extended period from mid-summer until early autumn putting on an impressively dazzling display and can grow up to a metre in height.
Painted Lady Butterfly on Knapweed at Wildacres
It grows on all kinds of grassland habitats, including acidic and chalk lowlands, woodland edges, clifftops, re-wilded garden meadows and roadside verges.
Common knapweed provides a massive boost of nectar for our pollinators.
In fact, it was found to be among the top 5 species for nectar production in a survey of UK plants by Plantlife UK.
Carder Bumblebees on Knapweed at Wildacres
This means it feeds all kinds of hoverflies, beetles, bees, butterflies and moths, and even birds when it goes to seed.
Watch a Knapweed plant in flower on a sunny day and you will be amazed at the amount of wildlife it will attract.
There is often a constant buzz of bees to be heard and a gentle flutter of butterflies to be seen, a most wonderful sight to behold.
At times, two, and even three, pollinators can be seen on the same flowerhead such is its nectar producing prowess.
Large White on Knapweed at Wildacres
Another great thing you can do with Knapweed to further help wildlife, is to leave the seed heads standing for the winter.
Green Veined White on Knapweed at Wildacres
At Wildacres we have found lots of small beetles and spiders will shelter in the seed heads.
Also, you will find some birds such as goldfinch will feed on the seeds.
As it is a Perennial, this means it will grow back year after year from the same plant, putting on a dazzling display in late Summer and early Autumn.
Each flower head is actually a multitude of separate florets, each providing a feast of nectar and pollen for hungry pollinators.
Meadow Brown on Knapweed at Wildacres
It is an easy plant to grow, so why not collect some ripe seeds from dry seed heads in late autumn, store carefully overwinter in a cold dry spot, and plant in pots to grow on, in early Spring.
Once established, choose a sunny well drained spot, to plant out, water for the first few months until established.
Six-Spot Burnet Moth on Knapweed at Wildacres
Then sit back and enjoy the show!
You will have wonderful wildflowers to boost biodiversity and provide a lovey floral display for years to come.💜
Stunning Knapweed in flower at Wildacres
