Common knapweed, also known as lesser knapweed or black knapweed, originates from roadsides, sea cliffs and rough grasslands. 
 
This attractive native wildflower has the look of a thistle with its spherical flower head topped with pink / purple flowers.  A reliable source of good nectar, not only it is a firm favourite with visiting pollinators it supports a wide variety of our garden wildlife - see below.
 
POLLINATORS: Bumble bees, honey bees, hoverflies, moths and many butterfly species including the meadow brown, ringlet & tortoiseshell.
 
WILDLIFE: Its large edible seeds make it almost perfect as an all-round long-lived meadow plant.  After it has finished flowering around September time, the seeds are actively sought out by flocks of juvenile goldfinches.  It is also a magnet for many tiny insects, which in turn are food for other bird species such as robins, wrens and warblers.