Winter Aconite

Flower: Winter Aconite produces bright, cheerful buttery-yellow flowers that bloom very early in the year, often pushing through late winter snow from February to March. Each flower has a cup-like shape surrounded by a distinctive collar of green, leaf-like bracts. Their vivid yellow petals make them one of... Fruit: After flowering, Winter Aconite forms small seed capsules that mature in late spring. These capsules release shiny, black seeds, which the plant relies on for natural spreading. In the wild, ants often help disperse the seeds by carrying them away, a process known as myrmecochory. Leaves: The leaves of Winter Aconite appear simultaneously or just after flowering. They are deeply divided, lobed, and bright green, often growing in a rosette around the base of each flower stem. The foliage dies back quickly in late spring as the plant enters dormancy.

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Common Agrimony

Flower: The flowers of Common Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) found in the UK are small and yellow, arranged in elongated spikes on slender stems. Each individual flower consists of five petals and has a delicate, cup-shaped appearance. The flowers bloom in clusters and are known for their bright, cheerful y... Fruit: The fruit of Common Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) found in the UK is composed of small, burr-like structures containing seeds. These fruits typically develop after the flowering period. They have a rough or prickly exterior, designed with hooks that easily attach to fur or clothing, aiding in the d... Leaves: The leaves of Common Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) found in the UK are compound and alternately arranged along the stem. Each leaf is composed of smaller leaflets arranged in a feather-like or pinnate pattern. The leaflets are serrated along the edges, providing a distinctive appearance. The surfac...

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Fragrant Agrimony

Flower: Fragrant Agrimony bears tall, slender spikes of small yellow flowers, typically blooming from July to September. Each flower is about 6–8 mm across, with five rounded petals and a pleasant scent that gives the plant its common name. The flowers are arranged in long, unbranched racemes and are usuall... Fruit: After flowering, Agrimonia procera produces small, burr-like fruits covered with tiny hooked bristles. These fruits cling easily to animal fur and clothing, facilitating seed dispersal over long distances. The fruiting bodies develop at the base of the flower spikes, gradually ripening in late summe... Leaves: The leaves of Fragrant Agrimony are pinnate and arranged alternately along the stem, with 3–6 pairs of toothed leaflets and smaller intermediate ones. The upper surface is dark green and slightly rough to the touch, while the underside is lighter and finely hairy. Crushed leaves release a mild, plea...

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Alkanet

Flower: Alkanet produces striking, vivid blue to violet flowers, each around 8–12 mm in diameter, with five rounded petals and a white central throat. These flowers grow in coiled spikes (scorpioid cymes), gradually unrolling as they bloom from May to August. Their intense colour and nectar-rich tubes make ... Fruit: After flowering, Alkanet forms four small nutlets per flower, which are rough and dark brown when mature. These nutlets are slightly wrinkled and dispersed passively — falling close to the parent plant. Although not particularly ornamental, the fruit plays a key role in the plant’s annual regenerati... Leaves: The leaves are lance-shaped to narrowly oval, and covered with coarse, bristly hairs. They grow alternately along the stem and have a rough, scratchy texture — an identifying feature. The basal leaves are stalked, while upper ones clasp the stem. The entire plant tends to be hairy and somewhat untid...

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False Alkanet

Flower: False Alkanet produces bright sky-blue to violet-blue flowers, typically 8–12 mm in diameter, with a white eye at the centre. Flowers are five-petalled and flat-faced, borne in loose, coiled cymes (scorpioid inflorescences) typical of Boraginaceae. Blooming usually occurs in late spring to early sum... Fruit: The fruit consists of four nutlets, as is typical of the family, each covered with hooked or barbed tubercles that aid in animal dispersal. The nutlets are oblong and rough, turning dark brown or black when mature. These fruiting bodies are quite distinctive and useful in identifying the plant in la... Leaves: Leaves are alternate, lanceolate to ovate, and covered in stiff, rough bristly hairs, giving the plant a very coarse feel — hence the genus name Cynoglottis, meaning “dog’s tongue” (like Cynoglossum). Basal leaves form a rosette, while stem leaves are stalkless and often clasp the stem. The foliage ...

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Green Alkanet

Flower: The flowers of Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) are an intense, vivid blue in color, shaped like a star, and they typically bloom in clusters. These flowers are notably attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies due to their nectar-rich nature. Each individual flower consists of... Fruit: The fruit of Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) is typically small and nut-like, known as a nutlet. These nutlets develop after the flowering period and contain seeds. They are often dark in colour and quite small, each containing the potential to produce a new plant if they find suitable con... Leaves: The leaves of Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) are elongated and rough in texture, often hairy and lance-shaped. They have pronounced veins and are arranged alternately along the stems. The leaves resemble those of the forget-me-not, having a coarse texture and covered in tiny, stiff hairs,...

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Allseed

Flower: Allseed produces tiny, star-like white flowers, just 1–2 mm across, with four petals and four sepals, both about the same length. The petals are often shorter or missing entirely, making the sepals more prominent. Flowers are borne in delicate, branching sprays (cymes) and appear from June to August... Fruit: The fruit is a very small, dry capsule that splits into four segments, each releasing a single seed. These minute seeds are dispersed close to the parent plant, typically falling onto bare, damp soil. The seeds germinate quickly under the right conditions, allowing the plant to complete its life cyc... Leaves: Leaves are tiny (1–4 mm long), opposite, and narrowly oval, with no stalks (sessile) and smooth edges. They form neat pairs along the hair-thin, wiry stems, which typically grow 2–10 cm tall. The plant has a very delicate, thread-like appearance and can easily be overlooked among mosses and other lo...

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Sweet Alyssum

Flower: Sweet Alyssum is a charming and petite flowering plant with delicate blooms. The flowers, shaped like small clusters, come in a variety of colours, including white, pink, purple, and lavender. Each flower consists of four petals, creating a dainty and intricate appearance. The fragrance of these blo... Fruit: Sweet Alyssum is not typically grown for its fruit, as it is primarily cultivated for its attractive and fragrant flowers. The plant produces small, inconspicuous fruits that are not commonly a focal point in gardening discussions. The main ornamental appeal of Sweet Alyssum lies in its profusion of... Leaves: Sweet Alyssum features small, lance-shaped leaves that contribute to its overall compact and neat appearance. The leaves are typically green in colour and form a dense carpet of foliage beneath the delicate clusters of flowers. These leaves are relatively small in size, adding to the fine texture of...

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Grape-leaf Anemone

Flower: The flowers of Eriocapitella vitifolia are small and pink or white, with five petals and a yellow center. The flowers have a sweet aroma and are usually seen in clusters. They have a long flowering season, typically from late spring to early fall. Fruit: The fruit of Eriocapitella vitifolia is a small, round, yellow berry with a thin skin. The flesh is sweet and juicy, and the flavor is similar to a grapefruit. The fruit is usually about 1 inch in diameter and ripens in late summer. Leaves: The leaves of Eriocapitella vitifolia are bright green, glossy, and pointed. They are oval-shaped and grow in clusters of three. The leaves are approximately 2-3 inches long, and they have a slightly waxy texture. The leaves are tough and leathery, with a distinct vein pattern along the edges. They ...

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Wild Angelica

Flower: Wild Angelica blooms from July to September, displaying dome-shaped umbels of tiny, pale pinkish-white to purplish-white flowers. Each umbel can contain dozens of small five-petalled flowers, supported by purple-tinged stems. The flowers are particularly attractive to a wide range of insects, includ... Fruit: Following flowering, the plant produces oblong, flattened fruits that are slightly winged and ribbed. These dry, aromatic fruits develop in small clusters and turn from green to brown as they ripen. Each fruit splits in two when mature, releasing seeds that are dispersed by wind and water. The seeds... Leaves: The leaves of Wild Angelica are large, divided, and fern-like in appearance, with toothed edges and a somewhat glossy surface. They grow alternately along the thick, hollow stem, which often has a purple hue. The lower leaves are especially large, with long stalks and multiple leaflets, while the up...

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Apple-of-Peru

Flower: Apple-of-Peru (Nicandra physalodes), also known as the Shoo-fly Plant, produces attractive, bell-shaped flowers around 3–5 cm in diameter. Each flower has five broad, violet-blue petals with a pale or whitish centre, sometimes displaying darker veins. They resemble small petunias and are typically b... Fruit: The fruit is a round, greenish berry enclosed in a pale green, inflated, papery calyx — similar in structure to other members of the nightshade family. As the fruit matures, the calyx turns tan and papery, resembling a Chinese lantern. The berries are approximately 1–2 cm in diameter but are not edi... Leaves: The leaves are ovate with wavy or shallowly toothed edges and can grow up to 15 cm long. They are arranged alternately on branching stems and are a dull green with a somewhat coarse texture. The stems are angular and slightly ridged. The overall growth habit is bushy and fast-growing, often reaching...

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Globe Artichoke

Flower: The flower of a Globe Artichoke has a large, round, thistle-like head that can grow up to 6 inches in diameter. The outer leaves of the flower are dark green in color and are tightly layered around the base of the flower. The inner leaves are more purple in hue and are edible. The flower has a large... Fruit: The flower of the Globe Artichoke plant develops into an edible thistle-like head, which is the vegetable. The actual fruit of the plant is a small, dry, brown, spiny capsule containing numerous seeds. Leaves: The leaves of the Globe Artichoke are large, thick, and spiny. They are pale to dark green in color and can grow up to 8 inches in length. Each leaf is deeply lobed with a sharp point at the end and a thick, fleshy base. The leaves are covered in small prickles, which are edible but can be quite sha...

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Garden Asparagus

Flower: Garden Asparagus produces small, bell-shaped flowers, pale greenish-white to yellowish in colour, typically appearing in early summer (May to June). The flowers are dioecious—individual plants are either male or female. Male flowers are more numerous and showier, while females are fewer but produce ... Fruit: Only female plants bear fruit: round, red berries, about 6–10 mm across, ripening by late summer. These berries are toxic to humans, containing sapogenins that can cause gastrointestinal upset. Birds, however, often eat them and disperse the seeds. Leaves: The “leaves” are actually needle-like cladodes—modified stems that function like leaves. These cladodes are slender, green, and feathery, typically arranged in tufts along the wiry, erect stems. True leaves are reduced to tiny scales at the base of each cladode cluster. Mature plants can reach up to...

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Wild Asparagus

Flower: Asparagus prostratus produces small, bell-shaped flowers that are yellowish-green, around 4–6 mm in length. Each flower has six tepals and hangs singly or in pairs on short stalks from the leaf axils. Blooming occurs in late spring to early summer. While inconspicuous, the flowers are delicate and n... Fruit: After flowering, the plant produces small, spherical red berries, each about 5–8 mm across. These fruits are visually striking against the wiry stems but are mildly toxic to humans and not consumed. They contain a few black seeds and are eaten by birds, which help disperse them. Leaves: What appear to be “leaves” are actually phylloclades — modified flattened stems that look like slender, pointed needles. True leaves are tiny and scale-like. The phylloclades are arranged in tufts along the thin, wiry stems and are typically green, spine-tipped, and less than 2 cm long. Stems often ...

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Bog Asphodel

Flower: Bog Asphodel displays striking star-shaped yellow flowers arranged in a dense, upright spike. Blooming from July to August, each flower has six pointed tepals with prominent orange stamens that give the inflorescence a fiery appearance. The flowers are highly visible in acidic bog habitats, standing... Fruit: The fruit of Bog Asphodel is a small, dry capsule that splits open when mature to release numerous fine seeds. These capsules form after flowering and persist into autumn, gradually turning brown as the plant completes its reproductive cycle. The seeds are light and adapted for wind dispersal across... Leaves: The leaves are narrow, grass-like, and arranged in a basal tuft. They are somewhat leathery with a channelled upper surface and may appear slightly bluish-green. A few smaller leaves may be found along the stem. The foliage is adapted to waterlogged, acidic soils and often grows among sphagnum mosse...

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