Scrophularia Nodosa

Common figwort is a sturdy native perennial with square, sometimes bronze-flushed stems, opposite serrated leaves and loose summer panicles of small brown, green and maroon hooded flowers. The blooms are modest to human eyes but exceptionally rich in nectar, attracting wasps, bees and other insects over many weeks. Knobbly underground rhizomes inspired the name knotted figwort and several old herbal associations. It is an excellent wildlife plant for damp borders, pond edges and informal woodland ground in sun or partial shade.