No Mow May: the seven wildflowers that could appear in your lawn this month

Did you know wildflowers are already growing in your lawn, you just need to stop mowing to see them flourish? From clovers to daisies and even orchids, there are plenty of flowers waiting for you to ditch the lawnmower so they can bloom as nature intended.

So, if you take part in No Mow May – conservation charity Plantlife‘s campaign to encourage gardeners to not mow their lawn for the month of May – you could see some unusual flowers growing in the long grass. As well as daisies, white clover, dandelions and buttercups, here are seven wildflowers to look out for.

1. Common bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

Bird’s foot trefoil is named after the birds-foot shape of the seed pods. This common meadow wildflower provides an excellent source of pollen protein for bees, and is also a larval food plant for the common blue butterfly.

 2. Ox-eye daisy (Leucantheum vulgare)

The ox-eye daisy is related to the lawn daisy but is taller, at 30-60cm tall. The centre of each flower is made up of lots of tiny florets, packed full of nectar that benefits pollinating insects including hoverflies, butterflies and bees. You may also spot leafcutter bees taking the petals to line their nests.

3. Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)

Selfheal is a pretty herb that grows in grassland, meadows and lawns. Low-growing, it bears spikes of violet-blue (occasionally pink or white) flowers, from June to September. Selfheal is part of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and has long been used for in medicine – the leaves are reputed to heal wounds when applied to them. The flowers are extremely attractive to bees and other insects.

4. Common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii)

If you’re really lucky, your lawn could be harbouring orchids, including common spotted orchid (pictured). It’s the most widespread British orchid, producing a rosette of green leaves with purple-brown spots in April, from which spikes of purple flowers appear in late spring and summer.

5. Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Often mistaken for a flowering grass, ribwort plantain bears brown, oval flower heads on thin, wiry stems. The summer flowers are popular with bees and goldfinches and other seed-eating birds eat the seed in autumn.

6. Red clover (Trifolium pratensis)

Red clover is the larger, prettier cousin of white clover (Trifolium repens). It bears pink flowers that attract long-tongued bumblebees (white clover attracts short-tongued bumblebees). Leaves are variegated.

7. Common knapweed

Knapweeds are related to thistles and have a similar flower structure . They’re popular with many types of bee and butterfly, and the leaves are a food plant for several species of moth, including the garden tiger (Arctia caja). Leave the seedheads standing and goldfinches will flock to feed from them.