© Copyright Friends of Belper Parks, St Johns Chapel, The Butts, Belper, DE56 1HX, U.K. Site update 1st September 2008
Wildflowers in the Parks, month by month
Blackthorn in full flower at the end of April
Wood Anemones the harbinger of spring. These have been increasing in number and spread, until last year, but they are re-establishing themselves again this year.
Belper Parks boasts an excellent bluebell wood, which smells very sweet on cool damp days in April and early May. Fortunately they are still mostly English Bluebells, although Spanish Bluebells are gradually invading the Parks. We have a programme to eliminate the Spanish Bluebells from the Parks.
The Lesser Celandine starts to flower just after the Wood Anemones, but prefers the damper areas of the Parks. It is mostly seen along the banks of Coppice Brook, and in Coppice Field.
Red Campion, although common in the hedgerows in the lanes to the west of Belper is a relatively new addition to the flora of the Parks. Red Campion is flourishing and is increased in number each year.
Ragged Robin, so called because of the ragged edge to its petals.
