The flowers of Yellow Archangel come into bloom just as the Bluebells are fading, replacing the blue carpet of a spring woodland with a golden-yellow one. A plant of ancient woodlands and hedgerows, Yellow Archangel may well have got its common name from its virtue of not stinging, despite being part of the 'dead'-nettle family.
The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves sympathetically for a range of spring flowers, from bold Yellow Archangel to fragrant Ramsons, showy Bluebells to delicate Wood Anemones. A mix of coppicing, scrub-cutting and ride maintenance open up the woodland floor to the sun, helping many flowers and plants to thrive. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from traditional forest crafts to raising awareness about woodland wildlife.
