Lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers, which are laden with nectar, form in densely-packed clusters on sturdy stems and attract bees and other beneficial insects in their droves. Perfect for wildflower meadows, or naturalised planting schemes, the flowers of this hardy annual will last well after being cut. The fast growing foliage will help suppress weeds and makes an attractive groundcover. Scorpion weed is offered here as a green manure crop, and self-seeds freely. Ideal before heavy-feeding crops such as brassicas or squash.

Green manures are fast-growing plants sown to cover bare soil in productive areas such as allotments, or vegetable gardens, and when dug into the ground while still green, they return valuable nutrients to the soil and improve soil structure. They are especially useful in crop rotation and provide a natural, organic method of improving soil nutrition and structure for follow-on crops. Green manures are usually sown in late summer or autumn and store nutrients, preventing them from being removed by winter rains and cooler weather weeds. An excellent alternative to mulching, heavy-handling of bulky organic manures, and cost-effective.