Growing list of flora found in and around the vineyard
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Aceraceae
- Field maple – Small native tree; lobed leaves; good for hedgerows and autumn colour.
Asteraceae
- Common yarrow – Feathery leaves; flat white flower heads; drought-tolerant and aromatic.
Betulaceae
- Common hazel – Shrubby tree; catkins in spring; produces edible hazelnuts.
Boraginaceae
- Alkanet – Rough hairy leaves; bright blue flowers; deep red dye from roots.
- Common forget-me-not – Low-growing; small blue flowers; prefers damp ground.
- Yellow forget-me-not – Yellow flowers fading to blue; woodland and riversides.
Buddlejaceae
- Butterfly bush – Fast-growing shrub; long purple flower spikes; attracts butterflies.
Caprifoliaceae
- Elder – Shrub or small tree; creamy flower heads; berries used in syrups and wine.
- Honeysuckle – Climbing shrub; sweet-scented flowers; good wildlife plant.
- Wayfaring tree – Deciduous shrub; white spring flowers; red berries in autumn.
Caryophyllaceae
- Chickweed – Low, spreading annual; small white flowers; edible leaves.
- Common pearlwort – Tiny mat-forming plant; damp or compacted soils.
- Corn spurrey – Slender annual; narrow leaves; pale pink flowers.
- Greater stitchwort – Tall stems; star-like white flowers; woodland edges.
- Red campion – Pink-red flowers; softly hairy leaves; common in hedgerows.
Compositae
- Bristly ox-tongue – Rough leaves; yellow dandelion-like flowers.
- Common sowthistle – Soft, milky stems; yellow flowers; disturbed ground.
- Creeping thistle – Spiny perennial; purple flower heads; spreads by roots.
- Great burdock – Very large leaves; burrs cling to animals.
- Groundsel – Small annual; yellow flowers; very quick life cycle.
- Ox-eye daisy – White petals with yellow centre; grasslands and roadsides.
- Ragwort – Bright yellow clusters; toxic to livestock; good for insects.
- Scentless chamomile – Daisy-like flowers; lacks chamomile scent.
- Smooth hawkbit – Yellow flower heads; grassland species.
- Spear thistle – Tall and spiny; purple flower heads; nectar-rich.
- Wig knapweed – Purple flowers with fringed bracts; dry grassland.
Convolvulaceae
- Hedge bindweed – Twining perennial; large white trumpet flowers; vigorous climber.
Cruciferae
- Lady’s smock – Pale pink flowers; damp meadows; early spring bloomer.
- Wild cabbage – Coastal plant; thick waxy leaves; ancestor of cultivated cabbages.
Dryopteridaceae
- Coastal woodfern – Evergreen fern; leathery fronds; tolerant of salty air.
Gentianaceae
- Common centaury – Small annual; pink star-shaped flowers; prefers dry soils.
Geraniaceae
- Pyrenean cranesbill – Spreading perennial; blue-purple flowers; ground cover.
Gramineae
- Annual meadow grass – Short-lived grass; thrives in disturbed ground.
- Yorkshire fog – Soft, hairy grass; grey-green colour; common in meadows.
Labiatae
- Common self-heal – Low-growing; purple flower heads; traditional medicinal uses.
Liliaceae
- Common star of Bethlehem – White star-shaped flowers; bulbs; spring flowering.
Malvaceae
- Musk mallow – Pink veined flowers; softly hairy leaves; mild musky scent.
Onagraceae
- Fringed willow herb – Tall spikes of pink flowers; damp ground.
- Great willow herb – Robust perennial; bright magenta flowers; coloniser of bare ground.
Orchidaceae
- Early purple orchid – Purple flower spike; spotted leaves; ancient woodland indicator.
Papilionaceae
- Gorse – Spiny evergreen shrub; bright yellow flowers; coconut scent.
- White clover – Low-growing; white flower heads; nitrogen-fixing.
Plantaginaceae
- Buck’s-horn plantain – Narrow leaves; coastal grasslands; drought-tolerant.
- Great plantain – Broad leaves; tall seed spikes; very resilient.
Poaceae
- Kikuyu grass – Vigorous creeping grass; drought-resistant; warm climates.
Primulaceae
- Primrose – Pale yellow flowers; early spring; woodland and hedgerows.
- Scarlet pimpernel – Low annual; bright orange-red flowers; sunny sites.
Ranunculaceae
- Creeping buttercup – Glossy yellow flowers; spreads by runners; damp grassland.
- Wood anemone – White spring flowers; spreads slowly in woodland.
Rosaceae
- Blackthorn – Spiny shrub; white spring blossom; produces sloes.
- Hawthorn – Small tree; white flowers; red haws; classic hedgerow plant.
- Trailing blackberry – Low bramble; prickly stems; edible black fruits.
Rubiaceae
- Goose grass – Sticky scrambling plant; clings to clothing and fur.
Scrophulariaceae
- Birdeye speedwell – Small blue flowers; low-growing annual.
- Foxglove – Tall spikes of purple flowers; toxic; woodland clearings.
Sparganiaceae
- Cuckoo-pint – Arrow-shaped leaves; hooded flower spike; red berries later.
Umbelliferae
- Hogweed – Tall plant; large white umbels; sap can irritate skin.
- Parsley water dropwort – Tall wetland plant; highly poisonous.
- Wild carrot – White lace-like flower heads; ancestor of cultivated carrot.
Urticaceae
- Stinging nettles – Serrated leaves; stinging hairs; valuable wildlife plant.
Violaceae
- Field pansy – Small purple, yellow, and white flowers; arable fields.