This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: moist but well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: June to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Native grassland perennial found in meadows, scrub land and on woodland edges. This tough wildflower can be variable, but normally it has a whorl of brown/black bracts topped with a light purple/pink inflorescence, which sometimes can be white. Definitely a plant for your wildlife garden, or any garden that wants to attract the birds and bees. Once the flowerhead fades, the seedheads are loved by the birds but also this does mean that it can freely self seed.
  
  
• Garden care: Wild flowers prefer poor soils, so do not apply fertiliser. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. In autumn, cut the faded flowerheads down to the ground and compost the dead stems.