Saxifraga oppositifolia, the Purple Saxifrage is a plant well known to Scottish hill walkers for its very early display of bright pink flowers. The plants on the Target 8 bed, on the East side of the garden are flowering profusely with the recent sunny days.

Saxifraga oppositifolia in full flower.

Another early emerging plant, this time in the Heath Garden, is Adoxa moschatellina, otherwise known as Moschatel. This is a diminutive perennial herbaceous plant which you find on wooded banks and stream sides. Currently the leaves are just breaking through the soil, but eventually a very unusual five sided flower head will develop. This gives rise to its other very descriptive common name that I really like, which is the Townhall Clock.

First leaves of Adoxa moschatellina emerging through leaf litter.