Stellaria holostea - Greater Stitchwort for Spring Pollinators (Peat-Free & Pesticide-Free Super Plugs and 9cm Pots)

Shining bright along woodland edges and hedgerows, Stellaria holostea - Greater Stitchwort - is one of the first true signs that spring has settled in. Its pure white, star-shaped flowers dance on wiry stems above fresh green foliage from March through May, providing an early feast for bees, hoverflies, and butterflies emerging from winter.

Native to the British Isles, it thrives in dappled light and lightly shaded borders, weaving between grasses or low shrubs with effortless grace. Its fine, airy form brings lightness to wilder plantings and a sense of continuity between the woodland and the open garden.

Why it matters

Greater Stitchwort plays a vital role in the early-season pollinator calendar. It bridges the gap between primroses and bluebells, ensuring there’s nectar available as insect life reawakens. Its presence in a garden means more than beauty - it means sustenance, stability, and the quiet hum of renewal.

Where it thrives

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile
Setting: Woodland edges, hedgerows, wildlife borders, naturalised lawns

Joel says…

“Greater Stitchwort’s one of my favourite spring plants - it’s simple, bright, and full of life. When you see those white stars along a hedge or path, you know spring’s properly here and the garden’s waking up.”

Folklore / Name Notes

The name Stellaria means “star-like,” and holostea translates roughly as “entire-boned.” In folklore, it was once used as a remedy for “stitches” and aches after long walks — hence the common name, Stitchwort. Country children called it “Snapdragon” for the way its seed pods pop in the warmth, and it was said that picking it would summon spring rain.

Although there is a minimum order requirement of 8 plugs when purchasing specific species, if selecting our Super Plug Bespoke Pack, you can select up to 4 species of your choice from our given list to make up a 16 pack (or greater), allowing you a wider choice of plug species if 8 of one is too many. Find the link to our Super Plug Bespoke Pack here!

These SUPER PLUG specimens are available in 8 pack, 16 pack, 32 pack and 48 pack. The 9CM POTS are available individually.

They're both ready to be shipped to you in a few days.

If you need ANY advice on planting or suitable plants for a specific area, please remember that as a Wild Your Garden customer you're entitled to free professional and tailored advice from our founder, Joel.