Wild flowers and trees that we have seen on our guided walks in the Peak District
On a very cold walk along Stanage Edge today, I marvelled at the rime ice that had formed on the rushes and other vegetation. Rime ice is the white curst that builds up on the windward side of objects in exposed areas, thereby showing the direction that the wind has been blowing in. Continue reading Rime ice on the rushes
Last Saturday was a really special day when we led a walk for The Peacock Hotel in Rowsley through the two ancient estates of Chatsworth and Haddon. In addition to enjoying stunning scenery throughout the guided walk, customers learned about … Continue reading Ancient Estates of the Peak
Late August or early September is usually the best time to see heather in flower on the moorlands of the Peak District, and this year is no exception. Out of the three types of wild heather in the area, Ling … Continue reading Ling Heather in its rare white form
If you’re out walking in the area of the Peak District known as The White Peak at this time of year (May/June) look out for the pretty white flowers of Meadow Saxifrage. This plant loves the dry limestone soils of … Continue reading Meadow Saxifrage
This year has been a good year for bilberries on the moors. The tiny pink flowers appear in spring and are replaced with tasty purple berries as August approaches. They are delicious to eat right up there on the moors, or to pick and take home to be transformed into bilberry and apple pie or bilberry jam. My mum’s old recipe for bilberry jam is 2 1/2 lb of bilberrys, 1/4 pint of water, 3 tbsps lemon juice, 3 lbs sugar and pectin (quantity as recommended by the manufacturer on the bottle or packet). Simmer the cleaned fruit, water and … Continue reading Beautiful Bilberries
June and July are a great time for seeing wild roses whilst out walking. These climbing plants can grow up to 5 metres in height and are a common site growing in hedgerows and alongside country lanes and paths. The wild rose is England’s national flower. They are usually pale pink but can also be white. The most common variety is the Dog Rose, but you may also see Field Roses or Sweet Briar all of which have a similar appearance. The petals have a delicate scent can be scattered on salads, used to make wine, or added to jams … Continue reading The Wild Rose – England’s National Flower
The White Peak area of the Peak District is fully of beautiful wild flowers at present. Meadow Saxifrage is just one of many different types of plants that love the limestone soils of this area. It’s Latin name is Saxifraga granulata and that is linked to its use in years gone by as a medicinal plant. Granulata means ‘with grain’, while Saxifraga means ‘rock-breaker’. Going back in history, it was believed that it had the power to break up gall stones and kidney stones. Continue reading Meadow Saxifrage in The White Peak
On our walk today I was asked about a wild flower that was growing at the side of the road that goes down the side of Ladybwer Reservoir. Having had a close look at it I had to admit that … Continue reading Great Burnet growing near Ladybower Reservoir
This weekend, Ling Heather has been just about at its best on the Peak District moors. It is the most common of 3 types of heather that grows in the Peak District. As well as looking beautiful when in flower, … Continue reading Ling Heather on the Moors
On our walk today we found this lovely Heath Spotted Orchid on a grassy path between Stanage and Bamford Edges. Thank you Alison for sharing your photo with me! Continue reading Heath Spotted Orchids
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