Ragged-Robin is a perennial plant of damp places. It is typical of damp meadows and woodland, marshes and ditches. It is a common plant across the UK, however, due to drainage and agricultural improvement of wet grassland, local populations have declined over the past decades. The first part of its scientific name ‘Lychnis‘ comes from […]

Marsh Marigold is a herbaceous perennial found in wet woodlands, damp meadows and along stream banks. It also grows well in the shallow margins of a pond. This hairless, stout wildflower resembles a buttercup (it is, after all, from the buttercup family). However, there are a few features that help to distinguish it from other […]

Wild Strawberry is a member of the Rose family and closely related to the Blackberry and Raspberry. This perennial herb occurs naturally throughout the Northern Hemisphere and grows on woodland edges, hedgerow banks and grasslands where a little moisture and sunshine are present. The name strawberry probably comes from the Anglo-Saxon ‘streowberie’, could derive from […]

The common name “self-heal” comes from the use of some species to treat a range of minor disorders. It’s a very common plant throughout Britain and Ireland, abundant in pastures and lawns, on roadsides and waste ground; typically associated with moist, fertile soils. It dislikes shade and wet soils. Self-heal is a perennial plant with […]

Red Campion provides a vivid splash of pink in spring that contrasts with almost anything else in flower at the same time. Red Campion thrives in a wide variety of habitats including woodland, roadside verges, hedgerows and rocky ground. It is widespread throughout the UK and thrives best in light shade, but can survive in deeper […]