Wildflowers make UK recovery

Britains garden and greenhouse fans with an interest in wildflowers may be glad to hear that many rare and endangered varieties have flourished in the last year.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), a survey by conservation charity Plantlife discovered that many species are reversing declines, with some thought to have been extinct re-appearing.

It revealed that a combination of intensive work by horticultural experts and the optimum weather conditions experienced by the UK this year have helped produce "startling" results.

Examples of how the work has helped the wildflowers can be seen in the recovery of the marsh clubmoss Lycopodiella inundata.

The plant was classed as being at high risk of extinction, but experts clearing vegetation in the Thames Basin discovered more than 100 new plants growing in five separate areas.

Other varieties on the road to recovery include Salvia pratensis and Juncus pygmaeus.

Meanwhile, the RHS recently reminded garden and greenhouse fans that they have only a couple of weeks left to enter its Photographic Competition, which has a top prize of £1,000.