County flowers of the United Kingdom explained

In 2002 Plantlife conducted a "County Flowers" public survey to assign flowers to each of the counties of the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man.^[1] The results of this campaign designated a single plant species to a "county or metropolitan area" in the UK and Isle of Man.^[2] Some English counties already had flowers traditionally associated with them before 2002,^[3] and which were different from those assigned to them by Plantlife, including the white rose for Yorkshire (assigned the harebell), the poppy for Norfolk (assigned the Alexanders), and the cowslip for Essex (assigned the poppy). Some flowers were assigned to multiple counties.

England

County	Image	Common name		County status	Shared
Bedfordshire		bee orchid^[4]	Ophrys apifera
Berkshire		summer snowflake^[5]	Leucojum aestivum	native
Bristol		Maltese-cross^[6]	Silene chalcedonica
Buckinghamshire		Chiltern gentian^[7]	Gentianella germanica	native
Cambridgeshire			Pulsatilla vulgaris	native		Hertfordshire
Cheshire		cuckooflower^[8]	Cardamine pratensis	native		Brecknockshire
Cornwall		Cornish heath^[9]	Erica vagans	native
County Durham		spring gentian^[10]	Gentiana verna	native
		grass-of-Parnassus^[11]	Parnassia palustris	native		Sutherland
Derbyshire		Jacob's-ladder^[12]	Polemonium caeruleum	native
Devon		primrose^[13]	Primula vulgaris	native
Dorset		Dorset heath^[14]	Erica ciliaris	native
			Papaver rhoeas	native		Norfolk
Gloucestershire		wild daffodil^[15]	Narcissus pseudonarcissus	native
		common cotton-grass^[16]	Eriophorum angustifolium	native
		dog-rose^[17]	Rosa canina	native
		mistletoe^[18]	Viscum album	native
		pasqueflower^[19] ^[20]	Pulsatilla vulgaris	native		Cambridgeshire
		water-violet^[21]	Hottonia palustris	native
		pyramidal orchid^[22]	Anacamptis pyramidalis	native
		thrift^[23]	Armeria maritima	native		Bute & Pembrokeshire
		hop^[24]	Humulus lupulus	native
		red rose^[25]	Rosa gallica officinalis	absent
		bilberry^[26]	Vaccinium myrtillus	native
		foxglove^[27]	Digitalis purpurea	native		Argyll, Monmouthshire & West Midlands
		common dog-violet^[28]	Viola riviniana	native
		rosebay willowherb^[29]	Epilobium angustifolium	native
		sea-holly^[30]	Eryngium maritimum	native
		wood anemone^[31]	Anemone nemorosa	native
		common poppy^[32]	Papaver rhoeas	native		Essex
		cowslip^[33]	Primula veris	native		Surrey & Worcestershire
		bloody crane's-bill^[34]	Geranium sanguineum	native
		Nottingham catchfly^[35]	Silene nutans	native
		autumn crocus^[36]	Crocus nudiflorus
		snake's-head fritillary^[37]	Fritillaria meleagris	native
		clustered bellflower^[38]	Campanula glomerata	native
		wood crane's-bill^[39]	Geranium sylvaticum	native
		round-leaved sundew^[40]	Drosera rotundifolia	native
		Cheddar pink^[41]	Dianthus gratianopolitanus	native
		heather^[42]	Calluna vulgaris	native
		oxlip^[43]	Primula elatior	native
			Primula veris	native		Northamptonshire & Worcestershire
		round-headed rampion^[44]	Phyteuma orbiculare	native
		monkeyflower^[45]	Mimulus guttatus
		honeysuckle^[46]	Lonicera periclymenum	native
			Digitalis purpurea	native		Argyll, Leicestershire & Monmouthshire
		alpine forget-me-not^[47]	Myosotis alpestris	native
		burnt-tip orchid^[48]	Neotinea ustulata	native
			Primula veris	native		Northamptonshire & Surrey
		harebell^[49]	Campanula rotundifolia	native		Antrim & Dumfriesshire

Northern Ireland

County	Image	Common name		County status	Shared
			Campanula rotundifolia	native		Dumfriesshire & Yorkshire
Armagh		cowbane^[51]	Cicuta virosa	native
Belfast		gorse^[52]	Ulex europaeus	native
Londonderry		purple saxifrage^[53]	Saxifraga oppositifolia	native
Down		spring squill^[54]	Scilla verna	native
Fermanagh		globeflower^[55]	Trollius europaeus	native
Tyrone		bog-rosemary^[56]	Andromeda polifolia	native		Ceredigion & Kirkcudbright

Scotland

County	Image	Common name		County status	Shared
		bearberry^[57]	Arctostaphylos uva-ursi	native
		Alpine catchfly^[58]	Silene suecica	native
			Digitalis purpurea	native		Leicestershire, Monmouthshire & West Midlands
		green-winged orchid^[59]	Anacamptis morio	native
		dark-red helleborine^[60]	Epipactis atrorubens	native
		rock-rose^[61]	Helianthemum nummularium	native
			Armeria maritima	native		Isles of Scilly & Pembrokeshire
		Scottish primrose^[62]	Primula scotica	native
		opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage^[63]	Chrysosplenium oppositifolium	native
		spring cinquefoil^[64]	Potentilla neumanniana	native
			Campanula rotundifolia	native		Antrim & Yorkshire
		lesser water-plantain^[65]	Baldellia ranunculoides	native
		viper's-bugloss^[66]	Echium vulgare	native
		coralroot orchid^[67]	Corallorrhiza trifida	native
		broom^[68]	Cytisus scoparius	native
		twinflower^[69]	Linnaea borealis	native
		holy-grass^[70]	Hierochloe odorata	native
			Andromeda polifolia	native		Ceredigion & Tyrone
		dune helleborine^[71]	Epipactis leptochila	native
		sticky catchfly^[72]	Silene viscaria	native
		one-flowered wintergreen^[73]	Moneses uniflora	native
		chickweed wintergreen^[74]	Trientalis europaea	native
		Alpine bearberry^[75]	Arctostaphylos alpina	native
		cloudberry^[76]	Rubus chamaemorus	native
		Alpine gentian^[77]	Gentiana nivalis	native
		bogbean^[78]	Menyanthes trifoliata	native
		bog asphodel^[79]	Narthecium ossifragum	native
		maiden pink^[80]	Dianthus deltoides	native
		mountain pansy^[81]	Viola lutea	native
		Shetland mouse-ear^[82]	Cerastium nigrescens	native
		Scottish dock^[83]	Rumex aquaticus	native
			Parnassia palustris	native		Cumbria
		common spotted-orchid^[84]	Dactylorhiza fuchsii	native
		Hebridean spotted-orchid^[85]		native
		yellow iris^[86]	Iris pseudacorus	native

Wales

County	Image	Common name		County status	Shared
		spotted rock-rose^[87]	Tuberaria guttata	native
Brecknockshire			Cardamine pratensis	native		Cheshire
		Snowdon lily^[88]	Gagea serotina, syn. Lloydia serotina	native
		wild leek^[89]	Allium ampeloprasum	native
		whorled caraway^[90]	Carum verticillatum	native
			Andromeda polifolia	native		Kirkcudbright & Tyrone
		limestone woundwort^[91]	Stachys alpina	native
		bell heather^[92]	Erica cinerea	native
		yellow whitlow-grass^[93]	Draba aizoides	native
		Welsh poppy^[94]	Papaver cambricum	native
			Digitalis purpurea	native		Argyll, Leicestershire & West Midlands
		spiked speedwell^[95]	Veronica spicata	native
			Armeria maritima	native		Bute & Isles of Scilly
		Radnor lily^[96]	Gagea bohemica	native

References

Bibliography

• The list of county flowers above is taken from the county flowers pages at Plantlife's website.
• County statuses are taken from:
  • Stace, C. A., R. G. Ellis, D. H. Kent and D. J. McCosh (2003) Vice-county Census Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Great Britain Botanical Society of the British Isles (for British counties)
  • Source to be determined for Northern Ireland

Notes and References

1. Web site: Fans pick the flowers that have grown on them. 5 May 2004. 21 March 2024. The Guardian.
2. Web site: Country notebook: vote for the poppy . . Germaine . Greer . Germaine Greer . 5 October 2002 . 2013-03-15.
3. Web site: The floral emblem of your county. 19 March 2024. The Daily Telegraph. 5 May 2004.
4. Web site: Bee orchid . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2021-06-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210602132226/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/bee-orchid . dead .
5. Web site: Summer snowflake . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130150/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/summer-snowflake . dead .
6. Web site: Maltese-cross . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309123131/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/maltese-cross . dead .
7. Web site: Chiltern gentian . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130147/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/chiltern-gentian . dead .
8. Web site: Cuckooflower . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130146/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/cuckooflower . dead .
9. Web site: Cornish heath . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124636/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/cornish-heath . dead .
10. Web site: Spring gentian . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309123127/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/spring-gentian . dead .
11. Web site: Grass-of-Parnassus . Plantlife . 2017-03-13 . 2017-01-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170102091355/http://www.plantlife.org.uk//wild_plants/plant_species/grass-of-parnassus/ . dead .
12. Web site: Jacob's-ladder . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2022-12-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221212234427/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/jacobs-ladder . dead .
13. Web site: Primrose . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124639/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/primrose . dead .
14. Web site: Dorset heath . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124638/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/dorset-heath . dead .
15. Web site: Daffodil (wild) . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124635/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/daffodil-wild . dead .
16. Web site: Cotton-grass (Common) . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124644/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/cotton-grass-common . dead .
17. Web site: Dog-rose . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130145/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/dog-rose . dead .
18. Web site: Mistletoe . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309123129/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/mistletoe . dead .
19. Web site: East of England . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124638/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/county-flowers/english-county-flowers/east-england-county-flowers . dead .
20. Web site: Pasqueflower . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130139/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/pasqueflower . dead .
21. Web site: Water-violet . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130153/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/water-violet . dead .
22. Web site: Pyramidal orchid . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2018-06-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612010825/http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/pyramidal-orchid . dead .
23. Web site: Thrift . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130148/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/thrift . dead .
24. Web site: Hop . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124636/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/hop . dead .
25. Web site: Red rose . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2019-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190714133424/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/red-rose . dead .
26. Web site: Bilberry . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124645/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/bilberry . dead .
27. Web site: Foxglove . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130154/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/foxglove . dead .
28. Web site: Dog-violet (Common) . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124642/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/dog-violet-common . dead .
29. Web site: Rosebay willowherb . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124641/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/rosebay-willowherb . dead .
30. Web site: Sea-holly . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124640/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/sea-holly . dead .
31. Web site: Wood anemone . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130141/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/wood-anemone . dead .
32. Web site: Poppy (Common) . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130147/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/poppy-common . dead .
33. Web site: Cowslip . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309123131/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/cowslip . dead .
34. Web site: Bloody crane's-bill . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130140/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/bloody-cranes-bill . dead .
35. Web site: Nottingham catchfly . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130149/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/nottingham-catchfly . dead .
36. Web site: Autumn crocus . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130152/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/autumn-crocus . dead .
37. Web site: Fritillary . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130144/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/fritillary . dead .
38. Web site: Clustered bellflower . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309123131/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/clustered-bellflower . dead .
39. Web site: Wood crane's-bill . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309123126/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/wood-cranes-bill . dead .
40. Web site: Round-leaved sundew . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130137/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/round-leaved-sundew . dead .
41. Web site: Cheddar pink . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124646/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/cheddar-pink . dead .
42. Web site: Heather . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124640/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/heather . dead .
43. Web site: Oxlip . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124643/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/oxlip . dead .
44. Web site: Round-headed rampion . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124638/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/round-headed-rampion . dead .
45. Web site: Monkeyflower . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130149/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/monkeyflower . dead .
46. Web site: Honeysuckle . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130156/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/honeysuckle . dead .
47. Web site: Alpine Forget-me-not . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130143/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/alpine-forget-me-not . dead.
48. Web site: Burnt-tip Orchid . Plantlife . 2018-07-04 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130143/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/burnt-tip-orchid . dead .
49. Web site: Harebell . Plantlife . 2018-07-05 . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309124648/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/harebell . dead .
50. Web site: Fuchsia . Plantlife . 2018-07-04.
51. Web site: Cowbane . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
52. Web site: Gorse . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
53. Web site: Purple saxifrage . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
54. Web site: Spring squill . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
55. Web site: Globeflower . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
56. Web site: Bog-rosemary . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
57. Web site: Bearberry . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
58. Web site: Alpine catchfly . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
59. Web site: Green-winged orchid . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
60. Web site: Dark-red helleborine . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
61. Web site: Rock-rose . Plantlife . 2018-07-05 . 2018-07-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180706021829/http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/rock-rose . dead .
62. Web site: Scottish primrose . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
63. Web site: Opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
64. Web site: Spring cinquefoil . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
65. Web site: Lesser water-plantain . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
66. Web site: Viper's-bugloss . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
67. Web site: Coralroot orchid . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
68. Web site: Broom . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
69. Web site: Twinflower . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
70. Web site: Holy-grass . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
71. Web site: Dune helleborine . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
72. Web site: Sticky catchfly . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
73. Web site: One-flowered wintergreen . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
74. Web site: Chickweed wintergreen . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
75. Web site: Alpine bearberry . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
76. Web site: Cloudberry . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
77. Web site: Alpine gentian . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
78. Web site: Bogbean . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
79. Web site: Bog asphodel . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
80. Web site: Maiden pink . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
81. Web site: Viola lutea . Plantlife . 2018-07-05 .
82. Web site: Shetland mouse-ear . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
83. Web site: Scottish dock . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
84. Web site: Common spotted-orchid . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
85. Web site: Hebridean spotted-orchid . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
86. Web site: Yellow iris . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
87. Web site: Spotted rock-rose . Plantlife . 2018-07-05.
88. Web site: Snowdon lily . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
89. Web site: Wild leek . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
90. Web site: Whorled caraway . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
91. Web site: Limestone woundwort . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
92. Web site: Bell heather . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
93. Web site: Yellow whitlow grass . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
94. Web site: Welsh poppy . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
95. Web site: Spiked speedwell . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.
96. Web site: Radnor lily . Plantlife . 2018-07-06.