THE KEY PLANTS
1 Clematis integrifolia
An upright perennial that will form small clumps in meadows and low, open scrub on hillsides or sides of steep hummocks. 20-50cm. RHS H6, USDA 3a-7b†.
2 Dianthus carthusianorum
Striking wildflower that grows on dry banks, meadows and woodland margins, variable in height and size of flower clusters. 30-60cm. RHS H7.
3 Cichorium intybus
From midsummer onwards it colours fallow fields with shimmering blue. There’s also a white variant. 30cm-1m. RHS H5, USDA 3a-8b.
4 Stachys recta
Common in dry meadows and on steep sunny slopes but rather inconspicuous. The lips of the flowers are minutely but beautifully marked. 30-80cm.
5 Salvia nutans
Aromatic plant found on steep steppic slopes. Forms bluebell-like crowds that are visible from a distance. The flower clusters become erect in fruit. On the Romanian IUCN Red List. 60cm-1.5m.
6 Allium scorodoprasum
A handsome wild leek with flat, keeled leaves and heads of dark flowers. Forms patches on dry banks, and edges of meadows and paths. 40-80cm. RHS H5.
7 Polygala major
A magnificent, almost orchid-like milkwort forming loose patches in dry meadows and open scrub, which flowers over much of the summer. 20-60cm.
8 Trifolium pannonicum
The finest of the many Transylvanian meadow clovers, this has scented flowers in heads the size and shape of a bantam’s egg. 30-80cm.
9 Melica transsilvanica
Tufted grass of dry meadow slopes, scrub and woodland margins, described from Transylvania but widespread in eastern Europe. 30-60cm.
10 Muscari comosum
Found on dry slopes. One of few bulbous species present in the meadows. 30-50cm. USDA 5a-8b.
11 Vincetoxicum hirundinaria
Poisonous plant that forms upright clumps and patches, with clusters of waxy flowers. Found on dry slopes, scrub and woodland margins. 50cm-1.2m. USDA 4a-8b.
12 Neotinea ustulata
This elegant orchid is widespread but not, in large numbers, in old meadows or where abandoned arable land has reverted to grassland. On Romanian IUCN Red List. 10-35cm.
13 Stachys germanica
Common in dry meadows, pastures and fallow fields, on grassy banks and roadsides; similar to the garden favourite lamb’s ear ( S. byzantina) but a more elegant biennial. 30-80cm.
14 Salvia nemorosa Forms dense vivid patches on steep dry banks and road-verges. One of the more noticeable of several wild sages. 30-60cm. RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b. 15 Onobrychis viciifolia A variant of sainfoin with small fruits and pale-pink or yellowish-pink flowers. Widespread in dry meadows. 30-80cm. 16 Filipendula vulgaris Attractively toothed pinnate leaves, pink flower-buds and conspicuous clusters of creamy-white flowers make dropwort a feature of Transylvanian meadows. 60cm-1.2m. RHS H6, USDA 3a-9b. 17 Securigera varia A showy floriferous vetch with zig-zag stems that forms extended tangled patches in taller meadows, on banks and among scrub. 30cm-1.2m. 18 Galium verum An ubiquitous component of the meadow sward and an important plant in Romanian village folklore. 20cm-1.2m. RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b. 19 Salvia pratensis Characteristic wildflower of early summer, sometimes colouring patches of dry meadows, scrub or roadside banks. There are purplish-pink and white variants. 40cm-1m. RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b. 20 Briza media This familiar, elegant grass of UK downlands, with dainty purplish spikelets that dance in the breeze, is common too in Transylvanian meadows and pastures. 30-75cm. RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b. 21 Campanula sibirica An upright rough, hairy plant found on dry meadows and steppic grassland on sunny slopes and the steep sides of marl hummocks. 20-50cm. 22 Knautia arvensis Often found in combination with Onobrychis viciifolia and Rhinanthus rumelicus, the numerous heads of the scabious dancing above the sward on their long stalks. 40cm-1m.
23 Dictamnus albus var. purpureus A showy, aromatic plant of sunny slopes, open scrub and woodland margins, with pinnate leaves and large delicate flowers; on Romanian Red List. 40cm-1m. AGM*. RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b. 24 Tragopogon pratensis subsp. orientalis An annual or biennial flower common to dry meadows, grassy banks and roadsides. It is a striking, goldenflowered regional variant of the familiar goatsbeard. 30-80cm. 25 Salvia verticillata An aromatic plant of taller meadows, banks and somewhat disturbed vegetation, sometimes in dense patches by paths and on roadsides. 40-80cm. RHS H5, USDA 5a-8b. 26 Rhinanthus rumelicus This abundant, grass semi-parasite tints meadows, often whole hillsides, with yellow, especially where abandoned arable land has reverted to grassland. 20-40cm.