Studley Royal

Entry into Fountains Abbey (VC64) also entitles you to visit the wider Studley Royal estate. This provided additional interest to the botanical riches of the Abbey ruins. In particular, the unimproved species-rich grassland outside the Banqueting House was a feast for the eyes with its carpet of Betony (Betonica officinalis) and the promise of abundant Devil's-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) to come.

The woodland edge provided an impressive stand of the imposing Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna), as well as the additional treat of Martagon Lily (Lilium martagon). Small Teasel (Dipsacus pilosus) was also found but unfortunately it had been mown to near oblivion.

Elsewhere the interest was more subtle, with a diversity of ferns including Hard Shield-fern (Polystichum aculeatum), and a widespread colony of pink-flowered Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris f. rubriflora), which obviously comes true from seed given its abundance.

The Hanging Gardens of Fountains Abbey

Midway through my week off work I thought it about time that I did something that was not botany orientated (or at least not entirely botany, you've got to keep looking otherwise you don't find the good stuff). So I took myself off to the ruined Fountains Abbey (VC64), originally founded by the Cistercians in 1132.

The walls support a staggering amount of vegetation, fairly dripping in species that are now uncommon or that have never been common in the wider landscape. These included Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), Hawkweed Oxtongue (Picris hieracioides) and Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia ssp. rotundifolia), the latter included white-flowered plants.

One of the specialities of the site is Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri), long since flowering at this point in time but otherwise living up to its name (see below). The walls also support Pink (Dianthus plumarius), again not flowering but nice to see.