Guelder Rose / Summer / Autumn / Edible Common Names Cramp bark tree, Crampbush Botantical Name Viburnum opulus Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order –Dipsacales Family – Adoxaceae Physical Characteristics of Guelder Rose A woody perennial shrub that can grow to 4m in height. Leaves The leaves, 5–10cm long, grow…
Tag: winter

Wild Thyme / All Year Round / Edible It’s a low lying and fragrant member of the Mint family, it often grows in dense mats and can be used in place of cultivated Thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Common Names Wild Thyme, Creeping Thyme Botanical Name Thymus polytrichus Scientific Classification Kingdom –…

Spruce / All year round / Edible Spruce is a family of naturalised, fast-growing, evergreen trees. They are a common choice of tree in 20th century plantations, but can also self seed and spread their seeds on the wind. Common Names      Norway spruce Botanical Name Picea abies Scientific Classification Kingdom…

Horse Chestnut / All year round / Toxic The ‘nuts’ or ‘conkers’ of Horse Chestnut are a common and familiar sight in autumn, the tree was introduced to the UK from Turkey in the 16th century. Common Names      Horse Chestnut, Conker tree, Buckeye. Botanical Name Aesculus hippocastanum Scientific Classification Kingdom…

Japanese Quince / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Japanese Quince is a non-native, thorny deciduous shrub, popular in gardens for its attractive flowers and fruit. it is generally quite compact but can grow up to 2 metres tall. Common Names Japanese Quince, Maule’s Quince, Northern Lemon,…

Daisy / All Year Round / Edible An abundant, perennial, wild edible that all of us are familiar with, if only from making ‘daisy bracelets’ as a child. They can be found almost anywhere on any soil type. Common Names Daisy, Common Daisy, Lawn Daisy, English daisy, Bruisewort, Gardeners’ Friend…

Pink Purslane / All Year Round / Edible A common non-native plant. It has a earthy almost beetroot like flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked. Common Names Winter Purslane, Siberian Spring Beauty Botanical Name Claytonia sibirica Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Caryophyllales Family – Montiaceae Physical…

Heather / All Year / Edible Common Names Heather/Ling Heather/Scotch Heather Latin Name: Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, E. caerulea – Ericaceae Harvest Season: Best to collect fresh, young (not too woody) flowering tops (leaves and flowers) when the flowers have just bloomed – usually July – October, depending on the…