Six Finnish wildflowers that bloom in June—and dazzle in the garden, too
Are you familiar with ragged robin, viper's bugloss, and cliff rose? They also bring joy to the butterflies in the garden!
1. Ragged robin
Ragged robin turns heads with its rose-pink, deeply lobed petals. This butterfly- and bee-friendly species loves moist sites—think meadows or the edge of a pond. Once common along sunny or partly shaded forest clearings and shore meadows, it has grown rarer as farming practices have changed. Height 30–70 cm.
2. Woodruff
Woodruff is a fragrant ground cover for partial to full shade. Flowering in early summer, it thrives beneath trees and shrubs in fresh, nutrient-rich soil. 15–30 cm. Other common names for it include hay plant and kiss-me-quick.
3. Viper's bugloss
Viper's bugloss blooms for a long stretch in hot, sunny spots with well-drained, lime-rich soil. It lures both butterflies and hawk moths. On this biennial, the flowers open pale pink and gradually shift to blue or violet-red. Also called adderwort or blue devil, the plant is poisonous. 30–90 cm.
4. Cliff rose
Cliff rose, also called thrift or cushion pink, thrives in sunny, dry, sandy sites—rock gardens are perfect. This perennial attracts both day- and night-flying butterflies and keeps blooming right through September. 15–30 cm.
Did you know? Under Finland’s everyone’s rights, you may collect small amounts of wildflower seeds where you roam. Gathering on nature reserves or from other people’s gardens, however, is forbidden. Some seed companies sell wildflower seeds, and some nurseries grow wildflower seedlings alongside regular garden plants.
5. Yellow iris
Yellow iris spreads fairly quickly by creeping rhizomes. Also called yellow flag, this upright perennial is made for water features, where the soil is moist and nutrient-rich. Its sword-shaped leaves stay striking long after the flowers fade. 60–120 cm.
6. Cat's ear
Cat's ear is dioecious: the male flowers are white while the female flowers blush pale pink. When happy in a sunny, dry, well-drained spot, this perennial forms a low, mat-like carpet. 15–30 cm. The plant is also commonly called mountain everlasting.
