Halycon days of heather in the South Downs
September 8, 2023
Our lowland heaths are amazing any time of year with their mosaic of heathers and gorses, pine, birch and oak woodland edges, rolling sandy hills, bogs and ponds, supporting a vast array of wildlife, much of which is rare and specially adapted to life on the heaths.
This time of year, however, the blooming heather has to take pride of place, at least for me. I love seeing and smelling the carpets of multi-hued purple flowers and seeing all the insects feasting on the blossoms.
There are three native species of heather on these heaths: ling or common heather, bell heather and cross-leaved heath.
The bell heather has been in flower since June, and is usually a bright purple/magenta, with larger flowers that look like bells grouped at the end of the stem (hence the name).
Cross-leaved heath flowers are a similar size to the bell heather flowers but a paler pink, and the leaves and stem a paler blue-green.
Ling or common heather usually makes up the majority of heather plants, with feathery green leaves and smaller flowers than the other two heathers. The flowers vary in colour from nearly white, through a spectrum of lovely pinks and lilacs. On a warm day, the smell from the flowers can be glorious!
Now is the perfect time to get out and explore these wonderful plants that are so important to our heaths.
Please remember to stick to the paths and take care of this very special habitat which is rarer than rainforest.
Elinor Newman, Assistant Public Engagement Ranger for Heathlands