First orchids flower at Orchid Meadows

The first of this summer's orchids are now beginning to add decoration to Evening Meadow. They are quite early this year, probably down to the fantastic weather over the past couple of weeks. Sneezewort is also growing up rapidly and should be in flower soon. It is so named because the leaves were historically used to make sneezing powder, designed to induce a good blast to rid the body of germs. Meanwhile, next door in Home Meadow there is quite a forest of buttercups with yellow rattle and lady's smock poking through here and there.