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Western Isles Wildflowers

Western Isles wildflowers is a collection of information about our Hebridean wildflowers including identification hints, traditional herbal uses and general plant lore.

 

What is Flowering : February

The humble daisy is lifting it's face to the sun.

Ramsons (wild garlic - native) and snowdrops are flowering in the Stornoway Castle grounds near the college entrance. (Both are white)

The very first wild primroses are about.

The Winter Heliotrope is still flowering in the Castle Grounds in Stornoway. (Near the Woodland Centre)
Winter Heliotrope was introduced to the UK in 1806, and was probably planted in the grounds by Lady Matheson (her gardeners) where it has run wild.

Some of the Rhododendrons in the Stornoway Castle grounds are also opening.

Kissing is said to be in season when the gorse is in flower.
There are a few gorse species, each with different flowering times, so at least one variety of gorse is usually flowering a little...

The rhododendrons, winter heliotrope and the snowdrops are all probably introduced plants here rather than native wildflowers, but at this time of the year when so few of the native wildflowers are about they are a very welcome sight, leading us towards Spring.