Come and be part of a global voice for wild plants and fungi
Plantlife’s No Mow May Movement is back for 2026 – help nature and let your lawn grow this May and beyond!
Over 25% of Britain’s native plants are threatened with extinction – your gift today could change that.
Will you help save endangered species?
Our corporate partners benefit from 35 years of experience in nature restoration so they can achieve real impact.
Become a Plantlife member today and together we will secure a world rich in plants and fungi
Did you know that a simple walk in nature can have positive effects on your family’s physical and mental health?
Join 9-year-old Flora on an outdoor adventure and explore the wonders of the wild!
Spending time outdoors is a great way to connect as a family, and connect to nature. There’s so many activities to try – but sometimes, nothing beats a simple walk in the woods!
Not only has walking in nature been shown to have a positive affect on our physical and mental health, but the wonders of the wild can be magical for children.
Join 9-year-old fungi enthusiast Flora, as she explains, in her own words, the wonders of the fungus kingdom!
Flora writes:
As we excitedly walked into the dark enclosed woods, we hopped over the rotting fence and immediately found our first fungi of the day. I carefully plucked the unique mushroom out of the rich soil.
As mum identified the specimen I looked around and noticed another mushroom. It reminded me of a damp cloud but they are meant to look like a fairy saddle. It is called a White Saddle.
Mum told me that the other mushroom was a Saffron-drop Bonnet, I love these fungi because when you tear the cap it looks like it is bleeding sunshine.
Find out more about fungus species here.
We walked on scanning the floor as we crunched amongst the leaf litter. As we headed back onto the path something red caught our eye.
As we hurried back into the woods we were astonished to see a perfect ring of Fly Agarics, these fairy-like toadstools are rare for us to find.
Interesting fungi aren’t always pretty though, this is especially the case with the Ugly Milkcap, which is named because when you rip the gills it oozes a whiteish milky substance.
The fungi are grimy, gross and disgusting. They are muddy brown coloured too.
Learn more about the fungi kingdom here.
Did you know not all fungi are found attached to the ground? The Collared Earthstar is often overlooked. These mysterious fungi are formed of a puffball-shaped centre and star-like projections.
Just as we thought we were done fungi finding for the day we came across large clumps of pinkish -purple and yellow fungi. I knew straight away what they were, the delicious sounding (not for eating though) Plums and Custard.
What a successful woodland walk we had!
Discover the magical world of the UK’s wonderful wild plants and fungi with our wildflower walks, fun activities and fresh ideas on how you can connect with nature near you.
From citizen science and volunteering, to making space for nature and forging a deeper connection with it – conservation is for everyone.
Nature needs our help. The UK’s plant species are in decline, and 1 in 6 wildlife species are at risk of extinction.
But, there is so much hope. We have been involved in a number of projects that have brought species back from extinction, helped protect species on the edge and encouraged thousands to let their lawns grow wild for nature. And the good news is, everyone can help.
Whether you’re a landowner or someone without a garden – there are ways for everyone to get involved.
Within the world of conservation there are many ways to volunteer your time, and we have opportunities out in the field, or even from home. We currently have a team of dedicated volunteers that support us with conservation work, botanical surveys, through photography and on our website – there’s something for everyone.
Hear from our volunteer Jane in the video below, and find out more about volunteering with us here.
And of course you don’t have to volunteer through us, there are many other charities in the conservation sector you could opt for.
We have a number of opportunities for citizen scientists. Our annual Waxcap Watch for example is a great way to get involved. The campaign encourages everyone from mycologists and fungi enthusiast to beginners, to get out in search of bright beautiful waxcap fungi. Waxcaps are an indicator of rare, species-rich grassland. Knowing where waxcaps and other grassland fungi are thriving helps us pinpoint where fragments of ancient meadows survive, so we can protect them for the future.
Then there is also the National Plant Monitoring Scheme, a partnership between Plantlife and BSBI, UKCEH, and the JNCC, which encourages people to conduct surveys twice a year to provide data that helps us study the abundance and diversity of plants over time.
You don’t need a botanical background to get started. as there are different levels to choose from, with beginners asked to record just 10 to 15 common and easily identifiable species at each plot.Find out more on our website here.
There’s so many ways you can implement care for nature into your day to day life – here’s some of our favourite ways to get started:
Whether it’s by spending a virtual minute in a meadow with our video below, or heading to your local nature reserve – connecting with nature is so important.
The health of nature and our own health and wellbeing are intrinsically linked. There are countless studies that show the benefits time in nature can have – from lower stress levels, to improved mood and mental health.
For more ideas, visit our Explore the Outdoors page here and discover more of the magical world of wild plants and fungi.
Every day, our wild plants and fungi are put at risk from planning decisions, chemical sprays and more. But hope is not lost. If you see nature in danger, there are a number of things that you can do to help protect the plants and fungi in your community.
From being aware of the species in your area and helping to record them, to raising any concerns with your local planning authority or elected councillors – you can help stand up for wildlife.
Read our guide here to stand up for nature.
We know that nature can help boost our wellbeing, but it can also improve connection to our communities.
One way to share the love of nature is to start a community meadow. Not only will you encourage more plant and animal wildlife to your local area, but you can enjoy time outdoors, make new friends and share the importance of nature.
Community meadows can help pollinators, store carbon, provide green spaces for everyone to enjoy and tackle biodiversity loss.
Read our guide on how to start a community meadow here.
Agricultural grasslands dominate Wales’ rural landscape. Finding ways to restore species-rich habitats to farms is a priority for Plantlife Cymru.
Chris Jones, the Warden of Kenfig National Nature Reserve, recently found the very rare fungus, during a routine survey.
Plantlife and WWF study on grassland demonstrate how wild plants and fungi are at the heart of climate crisis. Calling world governments to recognise sites for wild plants and fungi
Join us as we take a look back at what went right for nature in 2025.
The news hasn’t all been good for nature this year – and the truth is we have been working tirelessly in the face of the biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis, and it is an uphill battle. We’re not saying that we’ve turned the tide, there is certainly a long way to go to protect our incredible plants and fungi for the future – but over the last 12 months, we’ve been at the heart of some amazing wins for nature!
So to celebrate a new year, full of opportunity, we wanted to take a look back at 10 stories that show nature is capable of incredible resilience.
We’ve seen wildflowers fight back from the brink of extinction, thousands work together to boost biodiversity in gardens and hope for some of our most vulnerable lichens.
The Breckland, in the east of England, has suffered more than other places with habitat loss – and one of the casualties is Scrambled Egg Lichen. This yellow lichen with a white fungus on top really does look like an egg.
It became extinct in the Breckland due to habitat loss resulting from changes in farming practices, an increase in tree cover and a loss of rabbits. The Scrambled Egg Lichen is 1 of 3 specialist lichens lost from the region, where they were once common, along with the Starry Breck and Scaly Breck Lichen.
Fortunately, we have found a way to reintroduce it back into the Breckland. Our Lichen and Bryophyte Senior Specialist Dave Lamacraft collected small patches of the lichen from Penhale in Cornwall and transported it using a process called translocation.
Read the full story here.
Thousands of people all over the UK ditched the mower in May and beyond to help boost biodiversity in gardens.
In previous years, people as far away as Italy and the USA have taken on the challenge, and we’ve seen No Mow diaries from far afield popping up on YouTube which is amazing. But this year, the Movement really started to snowball overseas when it was picked up by the New York Times!
We hope that this is just the start of a world-wide initiative of people leaving their lawns for nature.
Find out more about the No Mow Movement here.
The iconic orchid, Lady’s-slipper, was believed to have been driven to extinction in the UK by the early part of the 20th century as a result of over-collecting and habitat loss.
However, in 1930 a single plant was discovered growing in a remote part of the Yorkshire Dales. The location was kept secret for decades, during which time volunteers frequently checked on the plant to make sure it wasn’t dug up and stolen.
A reintroduction programme was planned with the ambition of reinstating self-sustaining populations of the orchid in the wild. Now, decades of work have finally paid off.
Last summer, the first new naturally occurring Lady’s-slipper Cypripedium calceolus plant was discovered in the wild for almost 100 years. The team who discovered the plant included Plantlife, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) and Chester Zoo.
We recently discovered 2 rare lichen species at risk in the Lake District’s unique temperate rainforest. They were growing on an infected Ash tree and needed to be moved to ensure they continued to thrive in this habitat.
The tree has been infected with ash dieback meaning it is at a high risk of dying or collapsing in a storm.
Our experts translocated some of the lichen from the infected Ash tree to a nearby Hazel tree in the Lake District, home to some of the UK’s rare temperate rainforests.
The high rainfall, humid temperatures and ancient woodlands provide a perfect climate for rare lichens to survive.
On National Meadows Day 2025, we asked you to help us make sure our meadows don’t become a memory, by joining our call for the government to protect them.
The government has an Irreplaceable Habitat list, which includes ancient woodlands, blanket bogs, coastal sand dunes and lowland fens offering them a level of protection. But ancient meadows have no protection to stop them from disappearing – and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.
We asked you to write to your MPs – and as a result of the emails sent by our supporters and members, the Minister for Nature responded to our letter.
We also received information that the UK Government plans to review the definition of irreplaceable habitats in national planning policy in England.
Find out more here.
In 2003 Aspen Bristle-moss, which was thought to be extinct in the UK, was rediscovered by a chance finding. Now, thanks to a team effort – moss experts, landowners and volunteers discovered 3 times the amount of Aspen Bristle-moss at one site. This brilliant find led to the known population of this rare moss doubling in Scotland in a single afternoon.
This amazing feat was thanks to a training session organised by our Resilience and Recovery, Helping Rare Species Adapt to a Changing World Project Manager, Sam Jones, where volunteers were taught how to ID this marvellous moss.
The elusive epiphyte (a plant which grows on the surface of another plant) is particularly tricky to identify, with tiny features that distinguish it from the other mosses that can be found growing alongside it.
This event, helping uncover hidden populations of Aspen Bristle-moss, gives hope for its future.
We asked people to head to their local grassland in search of bright and beautiful waxcap mushrooms. This year, more people than ever took part, tripling the number of surveys we received from last year.
These surveys provide really important data to help us find rare and important waxcaps as well as identify where fragments of ancient meadows survive.
From 11 recordings of rare Violet Corals, to 265 surveys that recorded Pink Waxcaps, this data is invaluable.
Find out more about Waxcap Watch here.
Following the publication of the new GB Red List in 2025, we were excited to be able to announce that one of the most endangered orchids in Britain, Fen Orchid, is no longer considered threatened.
This great achievement is a result of decades of painstaking conservation work. Overtime, we’ve learnt more about the plant’s ecology, how to safeguard existing plants and then how to boost its numbers.
Read the full blog here – and hear directly from Tim Pankhurst, former Conservation Manager at Plantlife who dedicated his life’s work to protecting Fen Orchids.
This year was the year people really supported the UK’s rare and incredible temperate rainforest habitat.
We teamed up with Cumbria Woodlands to host a full day of activities including trips into real rainforests to experience the wonder of these habitats first hand. We held a sold-out members talk, raised awareness through videos and social media posts that you helped to share with the world and even launched an appeal to rescue UK rainforests from extinction.
Every step of the way, our supporters have been there to speak up for these precious habitats and make sure that they will be protected for the future.
Donate today to rescue UK rainforests.
Lugg Meadows is a Lammas Floodplain Meadow in Herefordshire that boasts a wealth of biodiversity with wildflowers blooming all spring – including a spectacular displays of fritillaries.
But the meadow was put at risk when a planning application was submitted to build around 250 dwellings on land bordering the reserve, which is a legally protected Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
We submitted objections and more than 1,300 other organisations and individuals did too.
In October, after ongoing uncertainty, Herefordshire Council informed the developer that it could not support the application and recommended it for refusal.
Explore this incredible nature reserve here.
We know 2026 will bring a wealth of challenges for nature, but it’s also brimming with possibilities. Our teams will be on the ground supporting some of the rarest species in the world, protecting ancient habitats bursting with biodiversity and raising awareness at the highest level, campaigning for change. We hope that you will join us on this journey.
We would love to welcome you to our growing community, whether you’re interested in learning more about plants and fungi, supporting us through donations, becoming a member, or even joining the team as a citizen scientist or volunteer – every contribution matters.
Get involved
We have led what is considered to be the very first translocation of an epiphytic moss in Scotland to help save the species.
This exciting new project will create more possibilities to save Twinflower populations.
There are so many benefits to taking part in the No Mow Movement. From helping wildflowers and grasses to grow freely, providing food for pollinators, habitat for wildlife and helping to tackle the changing climate.
Did you know that the rainforest can glow in the dark? Or that it’s home to plants which were on the Earth before the dinosaurs?
If you go down to the woods today, you might be in for a big surprise!
Join us on a deep dive into temperate rainforests to find out some facts that might surprise you.
Read on for our most fun, fascinating and fantastical facts.
Often when we think about rare rainforest habitats, our minds are drawn to the tropical forests such as the Amazon rainforest in South America, or the Congo rainforest in Africa.
However, temperate rainforests are actually rarer than its tropical cousin.
This incredible habitat once covered up to 20% of the UK, however now it’s been reduced to less than 1% of the land area. In England, this means that only about 18,870 hectares remain. [2]
The remnants of the last rainforests are at risk still and face a number of threats including inappropriate grazing and browsing, pollution and invasive species – meaning protecting our rainforests is more important than ever before.
Temperate rainforests right here in the UK, are not only stunningly beautiful habitats – but also globally important ones. They are home to some of the rarest species on the planet, and in fact there are species in our forests that are found nowhere else on Earth.
These species include:
Temperate Rainforests have a vital role in improving air quality – filled with oxygen producing trees and plants. While it’s tricky to show data specifically for temperate rainforests, we know that UK woodlands, which include rainforests, drastically reduce air pollution.
In fact, in 2020, our woodlands removed 32,800 tonnes of PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less, which can cause health problems when inhaled), from the atmosphere. These include some vehicle emissions, dust and smoke. [4]
Like a portal to a time before humans – temperate rainforests contain a link to what the world was like when dinosaurs walked the earth!
These habitats are ancient ecosystems themselves – but some ferns, mosses, liverworts and lichens pre-date humans, flowers, trees and even dinosaurs! In fact mosses and liverworts are examples of ancient non-flowering plants that have been around for 400 million years.
The UK’s precious, prehistoric rainforests are dangerously close to extinction due to invasive species, pollution and disease. But we cannot afford to lose them.
Will you join the national movement of people saving our magnificent rainforests? Please donate to rescue UK rainforests from extinction.
OK, so the rainforest isn’t going to be all aglow like a scene from Avatar – but if you’re lucky, you might just see some of the glowing species that call the rainforest home.
Bioluminescence is a phenomenon where a living organism can produce and emit light. While biofluorescence is where organisms reflect a different colour than the one they absorbed. These processes can be seen in species of lichen, moss, fungi and even insects, that can be found in woodlands, including temperate rainforests in the UK.
Unfortunately, most of the species in the UK don’t produce enough light to see with the human eye.
One species found in UK woodlands is Honey Fungus Armillaria mellea, which is bioluminescent, and has glow in the dark gills! The glow from Honey Fungus is very weak however, and is usually too faint to be seen by the naked eye in a woodland environment. There’s also the rare Synarthonia astroidestera lichen. [5] [6]
Woodlands, including rainforests, keep a huge amount of air pollution out of our atmosphere. This pollution can be inhaled and enter our bodies causing health problems.
It’s estimated that the pollution our woodlands removed in 2020 could have caused health problems that would have cost the UK around £995 million in healthcare. [7]
According to the Office for National Statistics, these avoided health problems not only include respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, but also deaths.
Therefore, UK woodlands, including temperate rainforests, have not only helped save us almost £1bn, but they’ve even saved lives!
Temperate rainforests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration. While it’s well known that trees store carbon, did you know that lichens, moss and even fungi found in our temperate rainforests can all help to lock carbon away. What’s more, these species can lock away extra carbon, on top of the carbon that the trees they live on store. This makes temperate rainforests some of the most efficient carbon stores. [8]
It’s not hard to understand how the mystical majesty of these stunning habitats has inspired humans over the years.
The mist settling over dense ferns in the early morning, dappling light streaming through the trees and being surrounded by song from countless birds, has certainly been a source for many creatives.
In fact, temperate rainforests have been a muse for poets, storytellers, artists and authors. One of the most famous examples is Wistman’s Woods on Dartmoor – which was said to have inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s setting for The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Our connection with temperate rainforests goes way back to our ancestors, who believed they were magical places.
There were many stories of fairies, witches, mythical beings and magical happenings.
In Scotland there are tales of the sprite, Ghillie Dhu who is said to be the guardian of the forest. [9]
Temperate rainforests in the UK are not just home to a rich variety of plant and fungi life, they’re also buzzing with insects!
This thriving insect life can attract visitors from thousands of miles away. A number of birds fly all the way from Africa to nest and rear their young in our rainforests. Visiting birds to look out for include Wood Warblers, Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers. [10]
Read how 2 lichens were saved, from a tree infected with ash dieback, in a translocation rescue mission in the temperate rainforest.
If you have any questions before getting started, from what happens when you stop mowing, to which flowers might pop up – here’s everything you need to know to join the movement.
For the past 7 years, thousands of people have joined our No Mow May movement, choosing to give nature a boost by letting their lawns grow.
This year, it’s all about the flowers! We want as many people as possible to give power to the flowers by letting their lawns bloom throughout May and beyond.
No Mow May™ is Plantlife’s annual campaign we launched in 2018 to encourage people to manage their lawns for nature.
But No Mow May is just the beginning, it’s followed by Let it Bloom June and Mow-saic months right the way through. They’re all part of the growing No Mow Movement!
We see May as an entry point for people, whether you’re someone who has never thought beyond a neatly manicured lawn or someone who has always wanted to try gardening for nature. Our aim is simple: to get people cutting less, for longer. So, whether you join us just for May or stick with it all season, it all makes a real difference for nature.
We chose May to get started, because that’s when most of our wonderful wild plants are getting going for the season. Giving them time during this period gives them a good head start.
At this time of year, your garden can also become a haven for wildlife at a time when it is greatly needed.
We think of May as the starting point, a springing board for managing your lawn for nature year round. Sometimes it’s easier for people to start small, before committing to a bigger shift in their gardening journey. The goal is to mow less for longer.
Why not check out our No Mow Movement Calendar for top lawn tips throughout the year.
The No Mow Movement Calendar
2025 will be our 7th No Mow May! We started the Movement back in 2018 and thousands of people have joined us over the years, creating space for nature in their gardens.
Approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows have been lost since the 1930s, and with them, vital food and habitat needed by wildlife.
While this fact is alarming, joining the No Mow Movement is one way we can all help. There are more than 20 million gardens in the UK, and every patch, no matter how small, can add up to deliver huge gains for nature, people and the climate.
Plantlife’s No Mow Movement is here – let’s let it grow for nature! Pledge to take part today and get a FREE No Mow May guide.
It’s one of the easiest ways to connect with wildlife and the perfect way to start supporting nature in your garden (in May and beyond!).
The good news is that everyone can take part in No Mow May! Even the smallest areas can add up to big wins for nature. So, whether you have a tiny space, a balcony or no garden at all, there’s always ways to join the movement.
You could make a mini meadow in even the smallest garden, or you could create one in a planter. Read our 6 Ways to do No Mow May Without a Lawn blog here, for more ideas.
Parks, road verges and village greens can all be turned into wild areas. Look out for your local Friends of Group to see if there’s any green spaces you could get involved in. If you’re not lucky enough to live close to an established group, why not consider starting your own community meadow? Read our guidance here for more information.
We’re glad you asked! It’s super easy to join the movement, all you need to do is sign up here, then put your feet up and let nature do the rest! And, for some top tips on taking part, read our lawn guide here.
The more people that sign up the better! We have streamlined our sign-ups so it’s quicker than not mowing your lawn! Registering helps us to keep track of the space that is being created for nature across the UK.
Plus, by joining the No Mow Movement you will also get access to exclusive tips, guides, stories and badges
How you take part in No Mow May is up to you — but if you want to give biodiversity the biggest boost, there’s a simple trick –, variety!
Keeping 2 to 3 different grass lengths throughout the summer helps maximise flower variety and the nectar they produce.
Nature will thank you! Giving your lawn a mowing break over the summer can allow time needed by wildflowers, to grow, bloom and set seed.
Wilder lawns are great for nature, for carbon storage, biodiversity and of course wildlife! From the insects and birds that can hide away in longer grasses, to the pollinators that wildflowers will feed, your lawn will be buzzing with life.
We encourage people to manage their lawns for nature all year round, and management does include mowing. We know that some people will need to mow more frequently than others – it’s all about mowing less for longer. Even cutting down to mowing once a month can boost lawn biodiversity and help pollinators.
If you are leaving your lawn for nature all summer long, we know that the grassy growth might get away from you.
But many mowers can cope with taller vegetation, especially if you mow in 2 stages:
Firstly, check your lawn for wildlife – and never mow around the edges towards the centre, this leaves no escape route for wildlife. Instead, as you mow, progress gradually towards sanctuary areas such as uncut grass strips at boundaries.
Next, set the blades as high as possible then mow strips only half as wide as the mower. This will reduce the load on the mower’s engine and make the job easier. You can then re-pass as normal with blades set lower to finish the job. Alternatively, if you have one, a strimmer can be a better way to tackle a taller sward.
Remember to remove your grass cuttings after you’ve finished strimming or mowing to prevent nutrient build-up on lawns, which can be detrimental to many wild plants.
This can depend on many of different things from how nutrient– rich your garden is, to the PH of the soil and what has seeded there naturally over time.
Common flowers you can look for include the Bird’s-foot-trefoil, Creeping Buttercup, Daisy, Dandelion, Clover, Self–heal and speedwells.
The more you let nature back into your garden, the more likely you will be to see wildflowers in the future. However, if you want to encourage more wildflowers into your lawn, there are a few things you can do.
Read our Increase the Number of Wildflowers in your Lawn blog here to find out more.
Increase the Number of Wildflowers in Your Lawn – Plantlife
We know it’s not practical for everyone to leave their entire lawns all summer long – that’s why we recommend a mow-saic approach!
Traditional hay meadows are cut once in the summer and then kept short by grazing until April. This is the process we are trying to replicate in our green spaces, so ideally some mowing is needed.
Keeping some areas longer and some shorter is a great way to keep your garden accessible while benefitting wildlife But really, how long you want to go is up to you!
Lawns left long between April or May until mid July followed by simply mowing regularly afterwards, will go straight back to that green carpet look for the rest of the year.
However, if you choose to leave your lawn long right the way through the summer until September, it might start to affect the look. Leaving your lawn long for longer can create some tussocky grass as well as thatch (dead grass/plant material), though this can be raked away partially.
If want to find out if you’re lucky enough to have any late blooming wildflowers in your lawn, but you don’t want to affect the look long term, you could try alternating. One year you could cut in mid-July then the next you could leave your lawn until September.
While No Mow May has clear benefits for wildlife, we understand it can raise some concerns for people too. We don’t want to shy away from the questions or worries you might have—so below, we’ve addressed some of the most common ones.
No Mow May is good for wild plants but what about other wildlife? Longer grass can make the perfect hiding place for hedgehogs and bugs to take shelter. And we know that this causes concerns about the risks that animals could face when it comes time to mow.
Our advice is to work gradually parallel to shelter (such as borders and hedges), which the wildlife can move towards. So you are moving closer to the shelter one mower’s width at a time.
Work from paths and high footfall areas towards the boundaries to allow disturbed wildlife to move towards cover gradually. Never mow from the outside inwards. Making a first pass with a high blade setting on your mower will help to flush wildlife before making a lower -repass for a neater finish.
And before you mow, wildlife will thrive from the benefits of your mini meadows such as all of the nectar, pollen, shelter and structure wildflowers provides!
Grass pollen can definitely be a cause of hay fever but longer grass in May is unlikely to be a big driver of high pollen counts in your area.
We know how hard hay fever can be – and all allergies must be taken very seriously. We would not advocate any garden maintenance regime that negatively impacts on residents’ health.
The occurrence of ticks in gardens is increasing, so you should wear long trousers and examine yourself carefully for ticks whenever you’ve been in long grass or other long vegetation.
Ticks are very small insects that spread a serious bacterial infection called Lyme disease. The ticks live on mammals such as hedgehogs, badgers and foxes and then drop off into long grass and vegetation, where we can pick them up and become infected. If you are bitten by a tick look out for flu-like symptoms such as feeling hot and shivery, headaches, aching muscles or feeling sick, and a circular red rash around the tick bite.
In areas where ticks are prevalent, consider maintaining a shorter grass lawn mown once every four weeks. For more information see www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease and www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk
We're not the only ones who love all the benefits of No Mow May! Here, the Butterfly Conservation joins us to give their top 5 species to look out for in your No Mow Movement area.
As well as bringing back the bloom to our lawns, there are many ways you can get involved with No Mow May, even if you don’t have a garden.
Did you know that dreaming of Harebells is said to be a sign of true love, or that Daffodils are used to celebrate a couple’s first decade of marriage?
Our beautiful wildflowers have long been associated with love. It’s not just the countless songs, poems, plays and novels that draws the connection – wildflowers have a deep-rooted connection to love that spans millennia. There’s symbolism from ancient cultures, stories from gods and goddesses and fabulous floral folklore.
When thinking of romance, roses tend to be the first flower to cross our minds, but there’s many wonderful wildflowers that might be overlooked.
From Daisies to Cornflowers, and symbols of everlasting love to games that tell you if someone feels the same way – love and flowers definitely go together.
Read on to find some of our favourite folklore connecting flowers to love.
The bright blue Cornflower Centaurea cyanus might not be the first flower that you think of when it comes to love, but it has a historic connection. More specifically, the Cornflower is seen as a symbol of devotion and the hope of love.
In folklore these beautiful blue flowers were once known as ‘Bachelor’s Buttons’. Young men used to wear the flowers in their buttonholes, to show that they were in love. If the Cornflower drooped and died quickly, it was a sign that their love was not meant to be. But if it held throughout the day, there was hope.
The name Primrose Primula vulgaris comes from the Latin ‘prima rosa’, which means ‘first rose’. This could be one of the factors that led to the connection of Primroses being associated with our first loves. And in fact, Primroses were often sent during the Victorian period as a symbol of young love.
Primroses are also considered one of the sacred flowers of the Norse goddess of love, Freya.
Sweet Violet Viola odorata is a low, creeping plant with fragrant flowers, which has a long and rather romantic history in folklore. For instance, one tale says that medieval French troubadours used Sweet Violets to represent faithfulness in their tales of chivalrous love.
If you look closely at the beautiful blue flower, you’ll notice that it has hairy, heart-shaped leaves, which gives it another connection.
But of course, more widely, the most famous violet connection is the iconic poem, ‘Roses are red, Violets are blue’, which can be traced back as far as 1590, by Sir Edmund Spense.
In the Language of Flowers, the Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus ssp pseudonarcissus, which blooms between March and April, represents unrequited love. It’s believed that the connection could come from the flowers short blooming season, as a nod to how fleeting love can be.
On a more positive love note however, Daffodils have also become known as a symbol of long-lasting love. The bright flowers, which symbolise hope and happiness, are often given as a celebration to signify couples reaching their first decade of marriage.
Read about Wild Daffodils here.
These beautiful little flowers, which can be seen blooming between July and September have fantastic folklore connections from fairies to witches. But moving away from the magical, Harebells Campanula rotundifolia have long been known as a symbol of love.
Their pretty, delicate appearance has a certain romance about it – and dreaming about the flower is said to symbolise true love.
Daisies are said to represent true love and more specifically, soul mates. This is perhaps because the Daisy is a composite flower, with the white petals each being their own flower and the yellow centre made up of hundreds of tiny flowers also. The flowers are meant to be together, just like soul mates.
Even their Latin name, Bellis perennis, shares a connection with ‘Bellis’ meaning beautiful and ‘perennis’ meaning everlasting.
Daisies have also been used in songs and poems about love for centuries. They have made their way into our language and even into our games. Take the historic ‘Daisy Oracle’ game for instance. People pluck petals from Daisies while reciting ‘they love me, they love me not’, until the last petal revealed whether your love felt the same way.
An iconic and much-loved wildflower, Bluebell’s have our hearts. But they also have a long-standing symbolism when it comes to love. Even its name has a connection. Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta wasn’t commonly used for the flower until the 19th century when Romantic poets started to write about it. It became a muse of many and was featured in work by celebrated poets and authors including Anne and Emily Brontë, Percy Bysshe Shelley and Oscar Wilde.
In the Language of Flowers, it is the Bluebell that represents everlasting love. And in folklore there is a story that says if you turn a Bluebell flower inside out without breaking it, you will win the heart of the person you love.
It might not be surprising, given the name, but this flower is connected to holding memories of those you love. In the Language of Flowers, Forget-me-nots Myosotis arvensis stand for true love and memories.
They have been given as a gift for centuries, to those who are going on travels, as a sign that they will not be forgotten by their love. Victorians also used the small flowers to remember their loved ones who had passed away, and would often include Forget-me-nots in jewellery worn as a memorial.
As we all know, love is everlasting, and the Fritillary Fritillaria meleagris is the perfect example of this. It is a well-known symbol of love beyond death. People used to wear Fritillary flowers to show their devotion to those who had passed on.
Due to the look of the flower, with it’s drooping head, it also gained the nickname Weeping Widow.
Though we typically associate wildflowers with spring and summer, some species thrive in the colder months. Here’s our list of our favourite native and naturalised wildflowers to watch out for on your winter adventures.
Although the days are getting longer, we are still in the depths of winter.
Some might assume that with bare branches and muddy footpaths, there’s not much to see in nature during winter, but nothing could be further from the truth. Even in its more restful state, nature is full of surprises, and there’s so much to discover!
While the season can seem uninviting, it’s well worth venturing out if you can. Frost dusts hardy winter plants in sparkling ice, and delicate wildflowers brave the freezing temperatures to bloom under the winter sun.
Though we typically associate wildflowers with spring and summer, some species thrive in the colder months.
Here’s our list of our favourite native and naturalised winter wildflowers to watch for on your winter adventures.
Mistletoe, Viscum album, had to top our list because it has become synonymous with the winter season. Look out for its white berries throughout the winter and flowers between February and April.
You’ll have to keep your eyes up to spot this parasitic plant as it grows hanging from broadleaf trees, orchard trees and others, especially lime and poplar.
Mistletoe colonies are vital for 6 species of insect that live nowhere else.
For more information head to our Mistletoe species page here.
Winter Aconite, Eranthis hyemalis is a bright and glossy yellow perennial, which blooms between January and March.
While it’s not native to the UK, having been introduced in the 16th century, it is now naturalised and a common sight in our parks and woodlands.
It’s an easy one to spot due to it’s vibrant flowers. Keep your eyes on the ground as it’s a small plant, that grows up to 15cm.
Read more on our Winter Aconite species page here.
Snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis, although not native to the UK, have become synonymous with our woodlands. They were introduced possibly as early as the 16th century, from mainland Europe.
The pretty white blooms can usually been seen from January to March, though they have been known to flower as early as October!
You’ll find them in areas with damp soil, such as moist woodland and riverbanks.
The species has long been associated with our cold winter months – the Latin name, Galanthus nivalis, translates as ‘milk flower of the snow.’
For more about this stunning species, visit our Snowdrop species page here – scroll down to watch our video uncovering the hidden secrets of Snowdrops, or head to our YouTube page here.
The pretty yellow Primrose, Primula vulgaris, is a favourite, and common sight all over the UK.
It’s name comes from the Latin, prima rosa, which means ‘first rose’ of the year. While Primroses are not part of the rose family, the name is still apt, as they are early bloomers.
You can see these pale yellow, green-veined flowers from December until May, the flowers are 3cm across, on single stalks.
Keep a look out for these wildflowers in woodland clearings, hedgebanks, waysides, railway banks and open grasslands.
Read more on our Primrose species page here.
Lesser Celandine, Ficaria verna, is an easy winter spot with bright yellow, star-shaped flower that can often blanket the ground.
They can be spotted between February and May. In fact February is so synonymous with the wildflower that the 21 February has been known as Celandine Day since 1795. It’s said that this was the day when the renowned naturalist Gilbert White noted that the first celandines usually appeared in his Hampshire village of Selborne.
Look out for these bright blooms in woodlands, hedge banks, damp meadows and stream-sides.
Read more about the Lesser Celandine on our species page here.
The native wildflower Stinking Hellebore, Helleborus foetidus, is one to look out for in the colder months. It has unique dropping cup-shaped pale green or yellowish flowers that stand out against dark green leaves.
The name Stinking Hellebore suggests that it’s one you might smell before you spot, but the scent is actually only released if the leaves are crushed.
Keep an eye out for Stinking Hellebore between February and April. It can be found in woodlands, on walls and roadside verges and is particularly fond of limestone-based soils.
While this plant is a beautiful one to watch out for, it is also one to be cautious around as every part of the plant is poisonous.
Read more about the Stinking Hellebore here.
While Daisies, Bellis perennis, might not really be a winter wildflower – National Daisy Day is actually on January 28, so we think they deserve to make the cut!
Daisies are a common sight in short grasslands and meadows, blooming between March and September. With spring officially starting on March 20, you can start to spot the first Daisies just as winter ends.
These pretty white and yellow flowers are not just one flower. They’re composite flowers, so each bloom is made up of over 100 flowers! Each petal is actually a flower and the yellow centre is hundreds of tiny little flowers too.
Read more about this unassuming but amazing wildflower here.
Winter Heliotrope, Petasites fragrans, is a winter wildflower you might have spotted before, but did you know its invasive?
It was originally introduced as a garden plant in 1806, for it’s pretty pink spikes of vanilla-scented flowers and large heart-shaped leaves. However the plant spreads underground and can spread quickly into carpet across the ground.
While it is an invasive plant, it does have some benefit as it provides both nectar and pollen to pollinators when not many other plants are yet in bloom.
It can be seen from December until March alongside streams, in verges, hedge banks and on waste land.
In the UK we have over 45 species of orchid – which might be more than you thought! Learn more about this wild and wonderful family of plants with Plantlife wildflower expert Sarah Shuttleworth.
Ever wondered how biodiverse meadows are made? Plantlife volunteers Andrew and Helen tell us about their own meadow story in Carmarthenshire.
Plantlife staff tested 10 plant identifying apps out on the field and picked 3 of the best for you to take out on your next wildflower hunt.
For a full dose of positivity take a look through our 2024 highlights. Let’s revisit the amazing ways we have helped protect nature for the future this year.
It’s the end of 2024, and we have been overloaded with news all year long. With so much going on in the world it can be overwhelming to try to look back and remember the positives. So, we’ve done the hard work for you! Here are some of our favourite nature news stories of positivity from the last 12 months.
The every day contributions that you make, all add up – and they make big changes for nature! Let’s look back and celebrate our shared achievements and look to how we can all take action to protect nature in 2025.
After not being seen in the wild in Wales since 1962, we led a trial reintroduction to bring back Rosy Saxifrage Saxifraga rosacea.
The trial marked a special moment for nature recovery. We used plants that had direct lineage to the 1962 specimens that once grew on the cliff edges of Eryri (Snowdonia). Maintained in cultivation for more than 60 years the plants are now flowering close to where they were last recorded decades ago.
We were so excited when it was announced that the Flow Country had been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Deep within the peat-rich Flow Country lies our own Munsary Peatlands Nature Reserve.
This historic moment for nature in Scotland, is also a world first, as the Flow Country became the first ever peatland World Heritage Site.
The Flow Country now has the same standing as the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon.
Back in June, we joined thousands of you, as well as fellow nature and climate charities in the peaceful Restore Nature Now march in London. The march called on all governments across the UK to take immediate action to protect and restore our wonderful wildlife.
With more than half of UK plant species in decline and 1 in 6 wildlife species at risk of extinction, our wildlife needs emergency action.
While there is still work to be done, the march highlighted how important nature is to people all over the UK. It helped to raise awareness of the plight of nature and push it to the forefront of our governments attention.
It gave us hope to see so many people passionate about this cause.
Watch our highlights video below to feel inspired!
We took to the streets of London to call for urgent action for nature.
You helped us create space for nature all over the UK! Thousands of you joined our annual No Mow May campaign.
From community spaces to big front lawns and mini meadows in window boxes every wild space counts. By managing our gardens and green spaces for nature through May and beyond, we can create enormous gains for nature, communities and the climate.
We’ve lost approximately 97%of flower-rich meadows since the 1930’s. This is why Plantlife calls for people to get involved with #NoMowMay every year, and let wild plants get a head start on the summer.
This year we helped to form the Alliance for Wales Rainforest. Made up of environmental charities and organisations, the Alliance is dedicated to protecting these rare habitats.
These magical forests host over 400 rare species of mosses, lichens, and wildlife, acting as biodiversity hotspots and natural carbon sinks.
One of the first pieces of work we completed together, was to publish the State of Wales Rainforest report. This report aims to draw attention to the temperate rainforest habitat, the threats that is facing and what can be done to protect it for the future.
Did you know that back in 2022, the UK’s horticultural industry got through 950,000 m³ of peat? Did you also know that peat takes a very long time to form? It grows at a rate of just 1mm per year! That’s almost one million years of peat used in just one.
Not only are peatlands an important habitat but they store huge amounts of carbon, which is released when peat is dug up.
That’s why we joined the call for the government and the horticultural industry to ban the use of peat in gardening and horticulture.
The Peat-free Partnership, a coalition of horticultural organisations and environment NGOs – including Plantlife, has sent a letter to Keir Starmer. This letter had more than 100 signatories including Chris Packham, B&Q, Co-op, Evergreen and many of our fellow eNGOs.
We led the first ever conservation attempt for One-flowered Wintergreen, Moneses uniflora, and it was a success!
The rare white flower has been in sharp decline. It is estimated that half of the UK population has been lost over the last 50 years. There’s only two known remaining patches in the Cairngorms National Park and as few as just seven populations in the whole country.
Along with our partners through our Cairngorms Rare Plants project we set out on a pioneering plan to boost it’s numbers. After surveying the site nine months after the translocation, we saw a 70% success rate– Project success lays the groundwork for a bright future for Scotland’s rare plant species
We are continuing our work with the species through our Resilience and Recovery, Helping Rare Species Adapt to a Changing World project. Follow our journey here.
This autumn we ran our annual Waxcap Watch campaign and our Forgotten Fungi Appeal. While both different, they both contributed to protecting the future of fungi – and so did you.
Through Waxcap Watch, you helped us to survey grassland fungi sites. Waxcaps are an indicator of rare, species-rich grasslands. So surveys that show us where these fragments of ancient meadows survive, help us to make sure they are protected for the future.
And thanks to your generous donations through our Forgotten Fungi Appeal, you’ve helped us to amplify the voices of the fungi kingdom.
Thanks to your generous support of our appeal, and a substantial grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we raised enough funds to extend our Ryewater Nature Reserve.
Your donations helped us to purchase an extra 4.45 acres of grassland which borders our nature reserve. The new land parcel needs major restoration work. We hope to start work in the summer as over the winter months the land is too wet and inaccessible. In the future this land will be managed in the same way as the rest of the site, to benefit wild plants, fungi and other species.
The existing Ryewater Farm reserve is made up of meadows, pasture and a beautiful strip of ancient woodland that runs steeply down to a stream. During the spring and into the summer, it’s awash with Common Spotted-orchid, Pignut and Yellow Rattle. The site is also rich in fungi and home to dormice and several protected bat species.
Far too often, the world’s wild plants have been forgotten and we’ve been calling to bring them to the forefront of global conservation efforts.
The adoption of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (and its 21 complementary plant conservation actions) in Cali, Colombia is a big step forward. It means a commitment to align plant conservation efforts with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which is an international agreement made up of ambitious goals and targets to combat biodiversity decline.
A Fungi Pledge was also put forward, and in a truly historic decision, COP 16 delegates agreed to create a special advisory board for Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs).
Read more from our time at COP here.
Every day, our wild plants and fungi are put at risk from planning decisions, chemical sprays and more. Find out what you can do to help protect nature.
Getting out and looking for fungi can be a great way to connect with nature and discover more about this amazing kingdom.
Here our Specialist Botanical Advisor, Sarah Shuttleworth, gives her top tips for finding fungi!
If like us, you love fungi – getting out and discovering all of the magnificent mushrooms you can find can be a really fun activity, and a great way to connect with nature!
Fungi don’t need to be scary, in fact, they can be just as fascinating for children as they are for adults. *Disclaimer: Picking a fungus can be done to help with identification. Never pick more than you need to, and avoid picking any rare or uncommon species. Looking for fungi can be a really fun activity, but make sure you know the rules of the sites you are visiting and always get permission for collecting from nature reserves or protected areas.
Whether you are brand new to the fungi kingdom and want some top tips to start your search, or maybe you have discovered our Waxcap Watch survey and want to know where to find grassland fungi to take part.
Below are some top tips of where to look and what you might find.
Woodlands are a great place to start your fungi interest as a huge proportion of fungi species are found in places with lots of trees. All the leaf litter, rotting wood and fallen branches are perfect places for fungi. When walking through a woodland look for any dead wood, fallen trees and stumps.
These areas are sure to have some fungi, maybe types of bracket fungi or clusters of yellow Sulphur Tufts or tiny little mushrooms peeping out from the moss. Sometimes under patches of bramble you can find little species hiding away or even on the rotting bramble stalks themselves. The best 4 trees to look under, whether in a woodland or a parkland, are:
These trees have many mycorrhizal associations with fungi, so often a good place to start looking.
If you are looking for a good selection of grassland species, especially the brightly coloured waxcaps and corals, then older, less intensively managed grasslands are the place to start.
Churchyards can be a good starting point, depending on how the grass has been managed over time, if it has lots of moss in the grass and doesn’t look too lush, then it might be quite old grassland.
Fields and lawns near big old houses can be good, again grasslands that don’t look too lush, like there is only one type of grass across the whole field and its very shiny looking grass (this might indicate that the grassland was ploughed and reseeded and then regularly fertilised, which waxcaps do not like).
Grassland, like that of playing fields, that is mown very regularly and the cuttings are left on the surface are not likely to be good for waxcaps, however you can still find fungi like Fairy Ring Champignon, which creates rings of mushrooms, which can be seen even when the fungi are not fruiting as the ring creates a different look to the grass. There will be other tiny little bonnets or bell fungi too, hard to identify, but fun to look at.
Shorter grass is also going to be more fruitful than areas with long tussocks that haven’t been cut or grazed for a year or more. Look for anthills, mossy patches, away from shading caused by trees or hedges. Sometimes you need to really look closely and move the grass out of the way to find them hiding in there.
Fungi underpin the health of our environment and are key to resolving the climate, ecological and societal challenges we face. Your donation could help increase understanding of fungi and get them the support they need.
We will keep you updated by email about our work, news, campaigning, appeals and ways to get involved. We will never share your details and you can opt out at any time. Read our Privacy Notice.
