Table of Contents
Primrose
One of the best indications that spring is on the way, the primrose is a common flower throughout the British Isles. Often found near areas of shaded woodland, this species flowers between January and May. The plants themselves are small in stature, growing close to the ground, with the flowers generally appearing in whites or various shades of yellow. Primroses are a great indicator of ancient woodlands and these habitats are the best places to find the flowers on the coast.
Snake’s Head Fritillary
Named after its distinctive appearance, the flowers of this plant are bell-shaped structures which hang from thin stems. Usually being found in deep purples or pink hues, the snake’s head fritillary was once a common sight throughout the UK. It has declined in many regions due to habitat loss, however it can still be found in some parts of England. The plant flowers in early spring and your best chance to see one in coastal regions is around beach meadows. It is most common in the southern counties.
Lily of the Valley
The poetically-named lily of the valley is a small woodland plant that can be identified by its bell-shaped white flowers. While very pretty, the plant is actually very poisonous and should be viewed with caution. The red berries the plant produces are especially toxic. Found in dry woodlands, the lily of the valley favours chalky soils and so is most common on the downs of England’s southern counties, where it can be seen in coastal regions. The flowers usually appear in late spring and into summer.
Wood Anemone
The wood anemone is a beautiful, pale flower that grows, as the name suggests, in woodland habitats. This wildflower is one of the first to bloom in spring and is a lover of dappled sunlight beneath hedgerows and mature woodland. Wood anemones are closely related to buttercups and are a popular flower amongst insects such as hoverflies. The flowers can sometimes be seen in large groups that carpet the forest floor and make for magical sights.
Bluebell
Arguably one of the most recognisable plants on Britain’s shores, the bluebell is often voted as the nation’s favourite. Another flower that indicates the coming of spring, bluebells flower in April and May and appear in large carpets in woodlands and grasslands. Their strong violet colours are beautiful to see and are the best way to identify the plant, along with their bell-shaped structures. Bluebells are most common in the UK’s ancient woodlands, but the Somerset grasslands of Brean Down are one of the best places to see them.
Daffodil
Daffodils are a common sight throughout the UK, with their striking yellow flowers bringing a gorgeous splash of colour during the spring months. They’re most often seen in south-west England or Wales, preferring to grow in damp forest meadows. Daffodils are very easy to identify, with trumpet-shaped flowers and long stems that grow to around 30 cm tall. With a very pleasant scent, the flowers are widely used as an ingredient in the perfume industry. In the wild, the smell attracts a variety of bees and other insects, who help to pollinate the plants.
Bee Orchid
The bee orchid is a remarkable flower with a very unusual life strategy. To attract the bees that the plant needs to pollinate itself, the bee orchid has developed flowers that mimic the appearance of female bees, meaning male bees try to mate with the flowers. In doing so, they help to transfer the pollen from one plant to another. Bee orchids are quite rare in the UK, particularly in the north, and are most often seen in coastal grasslands. They can be identified by their pale purple flowers that are set around a pattern of brown petals that resemble a bee.
Foxglove
A distinctive plant, the foxglove has a large stem that is adorned by vertical tiers of bright purple flowers. Foxgloves bloom a little later than most other wildflowers, appearing from June to September. Interestingly, the plant has the power to both heal and kill. A chemical within the flower can be used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure, however the plant is poisonous if consumed directly. The species grows well in acidic soils throughout the UK, but on the coast is most often found around hedgerows and heathland.
Snowdrop
The arrival of the snowdrop is much anticipated in the UK ever year, as it heralds the end of the winter months. Snowdrops survive the cold by lying dormant as bulbs, appearing in January at a time where few other wildflowers are in bloom. It’s therefore very easy to identify and can be found in damp woodlands and riverbanks. The flowers are especially pretty, consisting of small, bell-shaped structures that are white in colour.
Viper’s-Bugloss
The viper’s-bugloss is so named because its spotted stem is thought to resemble the body of a snake. For this reason, it was once used as an anti-venom for snake bites, although it is now known not to have any medicinal qualities. The flowers of the viper’s-bugloss grow in large clusters and are a vivid blue colour, making the plants wonderful sights on the UK coast. Tending to bloom in late summer, the plants are most common on chalky soils in the south of England.
Golden Samphire
A lover of warm, chalky soils on south-facing slopes, the Golden Samphire is a perennial plant that can be found in the south of England. Sometimes growing up to 1 metre tall, the plant has golden-yellow flowers which bloom from June to September. Most commonly seen on sea cliffs, the pretty flowers of the Golden Samphire are said to smell like shoe polish and the leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked.
Sea Campion
The Sea Campion is a true plant of the coast, often gracing the cliffs around seabird breeding colonies. It can also grow on shingle beaches, and is a small flowering species characterised by fleshy leaves and white flowers. It also goes by the name of ‘witch’s thimbles’, with legends saying that those who pick the flowers risk tempting death. Found on coastlines throughout the UK, the flowers usually appear in late summer.
Thrift
A favourite of gardeners, Thrift – also known as Sea Pink – is a beautiful flowering plant that is common around the UK coast, but is especially prevalent in Scotland. Growing low to the ground, the plant brightens clifftop habitats and saltmarsh, although it also grows in sandy areas. With small pink flowers that stand on narrow stalks, this can be a lovely species to spot on a trip to the coastline and can be seen during the spring.
White Rock Rose
White Rock Roses are relatively rare shrubby plants, generally restricted to Wales and southern England. Here, they can be found growing in grasslands by the sea, blooming in late spring and through summer. The flowers are very pretty, formed of large white petals with striking yellow centres. Despite the name, the White Rock Rose is not a type of rose at all, instead belonging to a separate family of plants known as Cistaceae.
Sea Holly
The Sea Holly is a captivating plant, with large blue flowers surrounded by spiny leaves, a feature that makes them look similar to thistles. They’re well adapted to life on the coast, able to tolerate high levels of salt and therefore growing close to the sea. Sea Holly is widespread on Britain’s shores but is a little rarer on more northerly regions, preferring to grow in warmer temperatures. The flowers bloom between July and September – the best time of year to see this plant.