More than 1,000 tower mustard plants have been successfully grown and planted out by volunteers in London.
It marks a successful first year for a major community-led effort to restore one of the capital’s rarest native wildflowers, vital for bees, butterflies and rare moths.
Led by Citizen Zoo and Habitats & Heritage, the tower mustard project brings together a network of land managers, community groups, conservation partners and volunteers.
The plants, grown by volunteers, are being reestablished at sites across London, in regions where tower mustard was previously known to occur.
At the core of the project are the Mighty Mustard volunteers.
In March, they attended a workshop, learned how to sow the tiny seeds, and were given their own growing equipment, including pots, seed trays and soil.
Seeds were sourced from London’s last remaining tower mustard populations in Lesnes Abbey Woods in Bexley and Stain Hill Reservoir in Richmond-upon-Thames.
Charlotte Harris, nature conservation manager at Habitats & Heritage, said: “[We] are passionate about engaging people in conservation initiatives. Through this tower mustard project, we have enjoyed giving local residents the unique opportunity to get hands-on in conserving one of London’s rarest plants.
“We’ve found the volunteers have become really attached to [them].”
Seeds have now been planted at Wimbledon Common, Hounslow Heath, Lesnes Abbey Woods and Barnes Common.
Harris added: “We are hoping that this model can be used as a blueprint for helping other rare plants with volunteer input in the same way.”
The final planting day is at Hampton Court Palace’s Home Park on Tuesday, where plants raised separately by the Historic Royal Palaces Gardens Team and volunteers will be used.
Botanist Dr Mark Spencer has also provided expert support throughout the project.
