Limestone Woundwort gets a boost
We have been continuing work to safeguard Limestone Woundwort (Stachys alpina), which grows at only three sites in the UK, two of which are in North East Wales. Limestone Woundwort is a softly hairy perennial 40-80 cm tall belonging to the Labiate family and it grows on calcareous soils usually within woodland glades, and flowers from June to August with pinky-red flowers that have a distinctive yellow 'eye'.
In partnership with Chester Zoo and Ness Botanic Gardens the Trust surveyed Glyn Diffwys SSSI within Conwy County Borough for existing plants and found that around thirty specimens were surviving in three clusters, but many had apparently failed since they were originally planted out between 1998 and 2003. Over 35 new plants, which had been grown at Ness Botanical Gardens, were planted out near to existing plants and will be assessed later in the year.
The collection of Limestone Woundwort plants that were maintained at Ness Botanic Gardens has now been transferred to Chester Zoo where seeds will be collected and germinated to produce many more new plants. These plants will then be planted out at suitable locations in NE Wales to establish new populations.
Adrian Lloyd Jones, NWWT Conservation Officer said, "Limestone Woundwort has been voted the County Flower of the Vice County of Denbighshire so it's great to be able to do something positive for this rare and special plant."
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