Over millions of years plants have evolved to grow in pretty much every imaginable situation, even between a rock and a hard place in very urban environments. So it is that the old walls, twittens and historic buildings of Rye and surrounding villages can prove to be surprisingly productive for botanists. Human-made structures that replicate natural habitats, like cliffs and scree, can support wall to wall vegetation.
Navelwort is mostly found in the south-west of the country, where it seeks out damp, shady places, but there are good populations around Rye. An especially impressive collection can be seen on the great road-side wall, hard by Monk’s Walk in Winchelsea. The leaves are fleshy, forest-green ‘coins’ with scalloped edges that shine glossy-bright after rain. They have a central indentation – the belly-button that gives the plant its name. Also known as Pennywort, Kidneywort and (superbly) Penny Pies, the plant sends up great towers of off-white flowers in spring and early summer. See them reaching for the heavens on the roof of St Thomas’ Church.
Red Valerian is tall and colourful and can’t help but show-off. Its ability to self-seed is an asset in urban environments, but it can become invasive in the wild. Other wall plants are more modest; look for the tiny, inconspicuously beautiful fern Wall-rue with its club-shaped leaflets that appear in clusters of three. The plant’s presence on buildings might be explained in part by the belief that it wards off evil spirits; it was once encouraged to grow near doorways and windows.
Camber Castle is King Henry VIII’s rock garden. It holds a small population of the rare Wall Germander, possibly as a result of it being grown there as a medicinal plant; it is said to be a stimulant and diuretic. It’s a good place to spot the aptly named Wallflower and the tiny but pretty Common Whitlowgrass that brings much-needed joy by flowering before winter has ended.
The lovely Ivy-leaved Toadflax can form extensive, creeping patches and its jolly mauve flowers look like little snapdragons.
Rye without its greenery would be much less interesting. Plants add to the town’s unique atmosphere and offer natural texture and colour and a source of nectar for insects. They bring the countryside into the town and smooth off its sharp edges.
Image Credits: Juliet Duff , David Bentley .
What a lovely article!
I often wonder if other people notice the mini environments clinging to the walls of our town. Obviously they do!