An Orkney Garden Wildflower Seed Mix

Bring a sense of coastal calm and quiet abundance to your garden with our Orkney Garden Wildflower Mix. Created to celebrate the launch of The Apothecary by the Sea: A Year in an Orkney Garden, by Victoria Bennett, this carefully selected blend of native wildflowers reflects the windswept beauty of Orkney and the restorative power of plants.

Designed to echo the kind of species you might find growing along clifftops, in meadows, and around traditional herb gardens, this mix balances resilience in both plant and purpose by bringing together hardy species with a soft, naturalistic character, long valued for their traditional uses as well as their beauty.

Key features:

• A balanced mix of native wildflowers suited to borders, meadow-style planting, and naturalistic garden schemes
• Includes species traditionally valued for their herbal and ecological benefits, supporting pollinators and soil health
• A long flowering season, with a succession of blooms that bring movement and interest throughout the warmer months

Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)
– Low-growing purple flowers, traditionally valued for their soothing properties and a favourite with bees.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
– Delicate, feathery foliage with clusters of white blooms, long associated with traditional herbal use and pollinator support.

Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
– Classic white daisy flowers that bring brightness to the mix and attract a wide range of pollinating insects.

Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)
– Rich purple, nectar-rich blooms that are especially loved by bees and butterflies.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
– Soft pink flowers that help fix nitrogen in the soil while providing an important food source for pollinators.

Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria)
– Clusters of yellow flowers known for supporting bees and improving soil health through nitrogen fixation.

Musk Mallow (Malva moschata)
– Soft pink, open blooms with a long flowering period, adding lightness and movement to the planting.

Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor)
– Fine, fern-like foliage with subtle flower heads, traditionally used for its fresh, cucumber-like flavour and valued in herbal practice.

Perfect for naturalistic borders and meadow-style planting, this mix brings together resilient native wildflowers that support pollinators and echo a long tradition of plants used to nurture both land and people.

Direct sow onto bare earth in spring or autumn. Lightly rake or loosen the surface, then scatter seeds evenly across the top. Press down gently to ensure good contact with the soil, do not cover with compost or soil.

Keep the surface moist during germination, especially in dry spells. Seeds usually germinate within 2–4 weeks, depending on temperature and moisture levels. Some species may flower in the first year, while others will establish and bloom more fully in the second.

Once established, these wildflowers need very little attention. Avoid feeding or overwatering, as this encourages leafy growth over flowers. After flowering, trim back in late summer or autumn, leaving cut stems for a few days to allow any seeds to fall and re-sow naturally.

Garden lawn seed, wildflower seeds, and wildflower seed mixtures are typically dispatched within 1 to 2 working days.

Products from our agricultural, landscaping, and equine ranges may be shipped separately as they are mixed to order.

We aim to ensure customer satisfaction with all products supplied. If you experience any issues with your order, please contact us at info@kentseeds.co.uk within 5 working days of the dispatch date, quoting your order number and a detailed description of the issue.

Read our full Delivery & Returns policy here.

Q1: Would this wildflower mix work well in a kitchen garden?

A: Yes. Many of the species in this mix have a long history of use in traditional herbal practice and sit comfortably alongside fruit, vegetables, and culinary herbs. When sown around the edges of beds or between crops, they can support pollinators, improve soil health, and bring soft colour and movement to the kitchen garden without overwhelming cultivated plants.

Q2: Is this mix suitable for full shade or very dry soils?

A: This mix performs best in sunny to partially sunny positions with reasonably consistent moisture. In deep shade or very dry substrates, germination and flowering may be weak.

Q3: Can I sow directly into pots already in place, or should I start in fresh compost?

A: You can sow into containers if you reduce the topsoil volume and loosen the surface. Avoid using enriched compost or nutrient dense earth as wildflowers thrive in poor quality soil.

Q4: How long until I see flowers?

A: Some annual or biennial species will flower in the first year; many perennials may take until the second season to reach full bloom potential.