We have this funny rule in the Garden, that a wildflower cannot be added to our Garden species list unless it has flowered at least once somewhere in the Garden. Last summer we noted two wildflowers for the first time, one being Hedge Bedstraw – Galium album, the other Salad Burnet – Sanguisorba minor.
Hedge Bedstraw: Now, if you think this looks familiar, you would be right. This species is closely related to Cleavers, or as most of us know it Sticky Weed, which is also present in the garden. Both belong to the genus Galium. We like having Galium species around as their tiny flowers contrast nicely with the massive oxeye daisies which now dominate the meadow area. We currently have this species flowering in both pots and within the meadow, competing well with the surrounding knapweeds and oxeyes.
Salad Burnet: This is an edible species which according to Wikipedia is found only on Limestone Grassland Sites. This is certainly where we see it normally when we visit places like the Mendip Hills. But in this image it is growing in a pot of peat free compost from Tesco’s, so we suspect it is not completely limited by soil type. More interestingly it can apparently live for 20 years. We only have this one plant growing in the Garden. Hopefully we can collect some seed and spread it around a little.
To complete the story, neither species flowered in 2023, as is the case with many perennials during their first year. So it was simply a case of waiting to see if they would survive the winter and bloom in 2024. Winter here was very wet, but also very mild, and both species survived. The Bedstraw positively flourished. And finally this month, both flowered: Salad Burnet on the 11th of June and Hedge Bedstraw a little later on the 21st of June. So two more species on the Garden list, both very welcome in the Garden.
DC: 27/06/2024
Wildlife Garden 