Rather embarrassingly I remember commenting some weeks ago that although we had amazing trees on Hampstead Heath we did not seem to have that many wild flowers. Obviously someone was listening as since then I seem to have met loads – and I very much hope that Emma is going to be able to tell us what they are….
How come that Emma is so knowedgable? Well, you won’t be surprised to hear that she is a gardener and a garden consultant down in Devon. But Emma is a gardener with a very special love for, and knowledge of, wild flowers – as we have discovered to our benefit.
Understanding what a positive therapeutic effect gardening can have on everyone’s mental well being, when lockdown was first enforced Emma went into action. She started a Facebook group – The Virtual Gardening Club – the idea being to help first time gardeners struggling to create a garden amidst all the corona virus restrictions. Five months lager it has over 500 members – so that means 500 more flourishing gardens, all laden with wildflowers, if Emma has had a say in them!
Meanwhile, back to our wild flowers.
First this one that Emma told us last week was a Great Willow Herb – and the Wildlife Trust agrees….
And I think I am repeating myself here because I think this is Great Willow Herb too – but it was such a lovely bank of flowers that I am risking the repetition.
However, this isn’t – or is it? Could it be Great Willow Herb’s seed heads?….
However, this one definitely isn’t – although I have no idea what it is….
And likewise with this one………
Emma, we are relying on you……..
However, I do know that this is a buddleia – much loved by bees and butterflies and, I learn, moths.
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It is great to know that the wildflowers made themselves known. They will of course vary across the seasons much like other more familiar garden flowers.
The second photo is either rosebay willowherb or purple loosestrife. Both reach around 2m tall and enjoy damp, pond or river margins and banks and scrub land. However, rose Bay willowherb has zygomorphic (not a doctor who character as yet!) flowers.
The third photo is indeed willowherb seed heads. No wonder they self seed so freely. If they are present in your garden it is best to weed them before this stage to prevent further spread.
The fourth photo I sadly believe to be himalayan balsalm or impatiens glandulifera. As written about in Michelle’s previous post, https://walksonhampsteadheath.co.uk/wild-flowers-and-the-last-of-the-fluff-balls/
The fifth photo shows more willowherb although this one is paler than i have seen.
Lastly, that buddelia is lovely. Such an easy plant to grow with impressive polinator attracting qualities. There are also many cultivated varieties including white, yellow, deep red or almost black flowers and even one that is globular in shape.
Thank you Emma….. I do hope that wasn’t Himalayan balsam!