Wild flowers

A wide variety of wild flowers bloom each year in Orkney’s diverse range of habitats.

From April to August each year, a riot of colour adorns the wetlands, clifftops and field margins, as Orkney’s wild flowers take centre stage.  The yellows of coltsfoot, celandine, marsh marigolds and primroses appear first; followed by the reds or pinks of thrift, campion and orchids.  Later in the year the jewels of grass of Parnassus stud the heath and grasslands.  Orkney is also particularly important for the rare great yellow bumblebee which enjoys the sandy or clover-rich habitat of some islands such as South Ronaldsay and Sanday.

The rare Primula scotica (the Scottish Primrose) is Orkney’s most famous plant. This species only exists in Orkney, North Sutherland and Caithness, on maritime heath. Orkney sites include Yesnaby, the west coasts of Rousay and Westray, North Hill on Papay, and in South Walls (visit the Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve of Hill of the White Hamars). The plant is very small making them difficult to find, with a purple colour which can vary, the throat being bright yellow. There are two flowering periods, the first being in May, and the main period being in July – good luck in finding one!

Maritime heath is one of the most interesting of Orkney’s habitats.  There are significant areas in Orkney, which support species of plant particularly suited to the salty and exposed conditions which prevail in the heathland community next to the sea.  In the summer months it is very colourful, with a carpet of flowers and even lichen in some sites. The hardy sedges and heather, with (early season) Spring squill, thrift and moss campion; and (late season) grass of Parnassus, eyebright, mountain everlasting, and sea plantain, all add to the display.

Places to visit:

Hill of White Hamars, South Walls (Sottish Wildlife Trust) – maritime heath and Scottish primrose
Hoxa Head, South Ronaldsay – sea pinks, Spring squill and Scots lovage
Hoy, North Hoy RSPB reserve – maritimeheath and Arctic alpines
Mull Head Local Nature Reserve, Deerness – maritime heath, orchids and grass of Parnassus
Yesnaby, West Mainland – maritime heath and Scottish primrose