7 beautiful photos of British meadows that'll inspire you

If you go down to the meadows today, you're in for a big surprise. Summer sees our fields, forests and gardens come alive with an array of colourful flora. Across the UK these plants support vital species like bees, who in turn support other parts of the ecosystem. Want to know more?

Save our Magnificent Meadows project supports our wild meadows and run Marvelous Meadows Day, which this post was originally written for. 

1. Beautiful buttercups 

Meadow buttercups, for most, are what springs to mind when meadows are mentioned. They carpet fields in their vibrant yellow, taking over swathes of British countryside with their colourful glow. Of medium height, they have a hairy stalk and between two and seven deeply lobed leaves, and of course beautiful golden yellow flowers. 

2. Stunning red clover

Do you have fields of hay nearby? You're likely to find these red clover like these. The plant is reportedly great for animals like cows, and also for chickens and ducks. Previously it has been widely used in herbal medicine to treat conditions such as athletes foot and constipation. Whilst we don't recommend that, we do suggest you head out in hunt for this beautiful specimen. 

3. Bundles of beautiful bugles 

This cobalt plant can be found carpeting damper areas of British countryside. Woodland, scrub clearings, and grasslands with fertile soil all make ideal homes for it. Growing up to 20cm tall, they produce beautiful deep blue flowers that are popular with butterflies and bumblebees. Why? Well, they're an excellent source of nectar for our pollinators, so much so that the Wildlife Trust encourages using them as a part of a "nectar cafe" to help these species thrive in your garden. 

4. Miles of meadow thistle 

Prickly, spiky, and generally a bit hurty to the touch - but another favourite with butterflies. Found mostly the the southern part of the UK, the meadow thistle is sadly becoming a rarer sight. Development of land, pollution and changes in farming practices are some of the causes of its demise. This time of year is the prime time to see them in full flower, before they dissappear toward the end of August. 

5. Dozens of daisies

A staple of the British school playing field, most people will remember plucking them from the ground at the stem and threading them into beautifully ornate chains to hang around their necks before the lunch time bell tolled. What most won't know is that the daisies that brought so much dinner time please are actually Ox-eye daisies, and grow in abundance in fertile soil that is well-drained but moist. Colonies of them grow in verges, along garden fences and edges of gardens; making them one of our most recognisable wild flowers. If you're interested in helping them thrive, there's an interesting article on how to support them here.

6. Rows and rows of ragged robins 

They grow only in the dampest of meadows, but produce beautiful bright pink flowers. Ragged robins often found in areas of woodland. A great source of nectar, they're an important plant for butterflies, bumblebees, and honey bees; who will all gather to suck up the nectar they produce. They get their name from the non-conforming shape of their flower petals, which are ribbed along the edges and sway gently in the light afternoon breeze. 

7. Clumps of common knapweed 

One of the toughest wildflowers found in British meadows, common knapweed produces rough leaves and has one of the longest nectar producing seasons in the meadow. Found throughout Britain, it often grows on roadsides and verges and is a key habitat former for wildlife. Plantlife say that in days gone by, woman would pick the plant and places it in their blouses, waiting for it to flower as it would be an indicator that the man of their dreams was nearby. Hmm, not sure how well that one will work! 

Want to know more? 

A farmer in Northern Ireland has been working hard to preserve a meadow on his land. George Ferguson has helped wildlife by allowing wildflowers to grow in a part of the countryside that the cultivates. Springwatch has featured him in a special film to celebrate National Meadows day.

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