WILDFLOWERS OF THE PENNINES

Spring sandwort, Minuartia verna

Tiny star-like spring sandwort grows in river gravels and spoil heaps. Though nationally scarce, it thrives in the calaminarian grassland (soils rich in heavy metals) of lead-mining spoil.

Mountain pansy, Viola lutea

This delightful small pansy has a range of colour forms, from yellow to purple and in between. It can grow in great profusion in old mining soils.

Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria

Liking damp soil, honey-scented meadowsweet is a froth of creamy flowers on tall stems.

It is the food plant for the larvae of several moth species.

Melancholy thistle, Cirsium heterophyllum

A tall plant of upland pastures, this beautiful stately thistle was once used to treat ‘melancholia’. Soft-leaved, it has no prickles and a solitary purple flowerhead.

Wood cranesbill, Geranium sylvaticum

A flower of woodland edge, hay meadows and North Pennine road verges, this geranium has rich violet-blue flowers with a small white eye.

Ling, Calluna vulgaris

Walking the North Pennine moors is transformed in summer when the heather stretches purple, far and wide. Headily scented, nectar from its flowers gives excellent honey.

Yellow rattle, Rhinanthus minor

This annual is semi-parasitic on grass, reducing its vitality, allowing more delicate wildflowers to thrive in hay meadows. Its pods rattle when dry.

Bird’s-foot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus

Also known as ‘eggs and bacon’ after its yellow flowers and red buds. The claw-like seed pods gave rise to the name ‘Devil’s toenails’.

Great burnet, Sanguisorba officinalis

Over 40% of UK upland hay meadows are found in the North Pennines AONB. One of the star plants is this beautiful burnet with deep burgundy flowers.