Flora

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The developer's ecologists found our flora to be species-poor - on the plots we still welcome and appreciate it each year, as do the insects. In fact we have recorded so much that we have had to divide this section into the four seasons.

So please use the drop-down menu to see Flora in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

If you'd like to increase your knowledge of plant name conventions, the following guide is in the spirit of helpfulness!

LATIN: HOW IT HELPS... honestly !

Most gardeners fall for the poetry and charm of common names; who can resist plants with names like love-lies-bleeding, or love-in-the mist? But they often tell us nothing about the origin of a plant or important things like its form, colour and size. And common names, which are often local ones, make it almost impossible for botanists in different countries to communicate with certainty on the same plant. Far from being an archaic language, Latin in botany can be a practical tool for creating a productive and thriving garden; gardeners can benefit from understanding the wealth of information hitherto hidden in Latin names. So don’t plant your thrift (Armeria maritima [maritima: of the sea, sandy places]) in your bog garden where a Marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris [palustris: of swampy,marshy places]) would be happier!

Here are some Latin words explained, using examples from the flora on the allotments.

WHAT IS THE COLOUR.