Even when it’s wet and rather cold and the cow parsley has been flattened there are small plants coming through just waiting to be noticed.

Several of the plants have traditional medicinal uses – Woundwort otherwise known as AllHeal, Selfheal and St John’s Wort. St John’s Wort was traditionally harvested on St John’s Day and the oil was used by the Knights Hospitaller after battles during the Crusades.

Before the Second World War Selfheal was used to staunch wounds amongst other things.

Wood Avens burrs are now very much in evidence as the yellow flowers disappear and will soon attach themselves to small animals to distribute the seeds further afield. The Prickly Sow-thistle is also now reaching through the verges.