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Water vole by Terry Whittaker/2020VISION

Species

Arrowhead

Arrowhead is an aquatic plant of shallow water and slow-moving waterways. In bloom over summer, it displays small, white flowers, but it is the arrow-shaped leaves that are most distinctive.

Species

Common centaury

A low-growing plant of sand dunes, heaths and grassy places, Common centaury is in bloom over summer. Look for clusters of pretty, pink, five-petalled flowers.

Habitat

Freshwater

The rain-soaked lands of Britain and Northern Ireland are rich in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, canals and ditches. Whether natural or artificial, they are the life-force behind the wildlife we…

My Wild Life

My water filter

Duncan helps to manage the pockets of peatland at Bell Crag Flow, near Newcastle. The ancient landscapes that he works on are around 10,000 years old. These sites are great for wildlife but they…

Action

How to do companion planting

Grow plants that help each other! Maximise your garden for you and for wildlife using this planting technique.

Action

Watch what you wash away

Some cosmetics, soaps, washing-up liquids and cleaning products can be harmful to wildlife with long-lasting effects.

Species

Lesser sea-spurrey

Traditionally a coastal species, Lesser sea-spurrey has spread inland, taking advantage of the winter-salting of our roads. Its pink-and-white flowers bloom in summer.

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Heathland

Heathland is one of our most threatened wildlife habitats: they are wide, open spaces where gorse, bracken, heathers and grasses grow, and birch and pine trees are often dotted around.
Species

Common knapweed

The tightly packed, thistle-like purple flower heads of common knapweed bloom on all kinds of grasslands. Also regularly called black knapweed, this plant attracts clouds of butterflies.

Action

How to make a coastal garden

Coastal gardening can be a challenge, but with the right plants in the right place, your garden and its wildlife visitors can thrive.