This verge is being managed to benefit wildlife. Here are some of the wildflowers and other species that have been found here. To see a full list and get up to date with the verge project, visit NatureSpot's Wild Place feature page for this verge. Click on any header to visit the NatureSpot page for that species to find out more.
Yarrow
Flowering July to October and common on verges and in meadows. The feathery leaves are distinctive.
ID: Feathery leaves and creamy-white dense flower-heads (can also be pinkish).
Hop Trefoil
This is one of the more unusual plant species in the clover family. It's lovely yellow flowers resemble those of hops.
How to ID: Small and hairy. Pale yellow flowers, turning brown, in small round heads (10-15mm across). Clover-like leaves.
Where to see it: Dry, sandy soils. Field margins.
Similar species: Other clovers, such as Lesser Trefoil and Black Medick.
Common Mallow
This large and attractive flower blooms from June to October. It is thought that the Romans cultivated this plant for use as both food and medicine.
How to ID: To 1m or more. Round and lobed leaves. Flowers pink-purple with darker veins.
Where to see it: Verges, rough ground.
Similar species: Musk Mallow has very divided leaves.
Autumn Hawkbit
Despite its name, it often starts blooming in June. It doesn't grow tall so favours short grass such as the edge of verges.
ID: Leaves with finger-like lobes. Yellow, dandelion-like flowers, usually with red streaks under the petals. Flower capsule tapers into the stem.
Spear Thistle
Despite the prickles, this is an elegant plant and very attractive to wildlife. The flowers are the classic thistle heads and an emblem of Scotland.
How to ID: Tall, to 1.5m. Stem with spiny wings. Leaves ending in a long 'spear-like' point. Purple flowers on top of a rounded, prickly capsule.
Where to see it: Disturbed ground, verges.
Similar species: Other prickly thistles, but the spear tipped leaves are unique.
Cock's-foot
Perhaps the most recognisable of all our grasses with the clumpy flowers on short but spread stalks. It likes nutrient-rich soil so can become dominant in certain conditions.
How to ID: A tall grass (to 1m) with tussocky leaves that are greyish green. Stalks are flattened. The flower-head is unique.
Where to see it: Meadows and verges.
Similar species: None.
14 Spot ladybird
Our commonest yellow and black ladybird. Medium-sized, around 4mm.
How to ID: The yellow and black 'chequer-board' pattern is unique.
Where to see it: In low vegetation, amongst grasses and wildflowers.
Similar species: The 16 Spot Ladybird is smaller with only the basal spots fused.
Meadow Brown
This is the classic grassland butterfly, often common in meadows from June to September. The caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses.
How to ID: Brown with a small orange patch on each upper wing, surrounding a black spot and a single white 'pupil'. Males are darker with a smaller orange patch.
Where to see it: Meadows, verges.
Similar species: The Gatekeeper has orange patches on both upper and lower wings.
Hairy Shieldbug
Also called a Sloe Bug as they like to feed on Blackthorn fruits (sloes). They also feed on a wide range of other plants. Adults hibernate through the winter so can be seen if the weather is particularly warm.
How to ID: 10-13mm. Purplish brown with black and white chequers along the edges. It is covered in fine hairs.
Where to see it: Parks, garden, hedgerows. Can be seen in all months.
Similar species: The uncommon Brown Marmorated Shieldbug has a row of white spots across its back.
Long Hoverfly
Numbers of this hoverfly are often boosted by migrants from mainland Europe. Like most ladybirds, its larvae feed on aphids. Adults feed on nectar and are common visitors to flowers.
ID: Yellow and black abdomen. Males (with eyes touching) wings are shorter than the body. Females, however, cannot be visually distinguished from other Sphaerophora species.
