Conservators of Therfield Heath – Therfield in Bloom
Forget having to wait till September for this years Chelsea flower show, we have our own wonderful display just on our doorsteps for everyone to come and enjoy.
The Heath is displaying some of the most exquisite wildflowers found in the UK, which knowledgeable local residents have stated is the best they’ve seen The Heath in a number of years. If you missed this years Pasque Flowers (Pulsatilla vulgaris), which bloom in April, you now have the opportunity to see some of the other rare flowers which are found on the heath such as Wild Candytuft (Iberis amara), Perennial Flax (Linum perenne), Taraxacum acutum (a Dandelion with no common name), Field Fleawort (Tephroseris integrifolia) and Bastard Toadflax (Thesium humifusum).
This month we have been privileged to have been visited by the vice Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire via our Friends of The Heath group, who took a tour of Church Hill and surrounding area and was fortunate enough to see some of the wonderful species above as well as a Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) and a great number of Marbled White Butterfly (Melanargia galathea). The site itself is a county jewel and a designated site of scientific interest (SSSI) which means its importance is noted nationally, good quality chalk grassland is very rare and we have a duty of care to care and maintain this important and scarce habitat. We are hoping to start progressing with some of the key site management which ensures this valuable habitat is protected.
This will involve volunteer work parties so if you would like to be involved, please contact Cheryll Wilson Head of Conversation and Development at conservation@therfieldheath.org.uk
