Trees & plants
No Mow May 2024: Why it's time to let the weeds grow
Want to help the wildlife in your garden? All you have to do this month is… nothing. Welcome to No Mow May 2024
Why are crab apples sour?
Botanist Phil Gates explains just why crab apples have a sour taste when their cousins taste so sweet
How to identify spring blossom
As light flows slowly into our woodlands and hedgerows, once-bare branches begin to bloom. The brief blossoming of blackthorn, rowan, wild cherry and hawthorn is a magical spectacle, wreathed in ancient folklore. Learn how to identify spring blossom found in the UK and best places to spot blossom with our ID guide.
Blackthorn guide: how to identify, folklore and uses
As February turns to March, millions of tiny blooms spring from the spiny shrubs in our hedgerows, covering their dark stems in creamy white blossom – later in the year, sloe berries appear. Learn all about blackthorn through the seasons with our expert guide.
Snowdrops guide: best walks, how to grow and when they bloom
After the darkness of winter, snowdrops are a welcome sign that spring will soon be here. Our snowdrop guide looks at the best snowdrop walks in the UK, when to plant snowdrops, when they bloom and how to care for them.
Spring wildlife guide: what to look for and where to see it
From the fragrant aroma of wild garlic to the delightful song of the chiffchaff, the British countryside comes to life in the spring months. Our expert spring wildlife guide explains how to identify the season's best wildlife spectacles and best places to see.
What are conkers and how do you find the best conker?
Prepare for battle with conkers this autumn
Journey into Britain’s forgotten rainforests
When we think of rainforests, the Amazon or the Congo spring to mind, but Britain has its own share, full of wild character, thronging with life and in desperate need of protection. Guy Shrubsole tells the story of these secret forgotten habitats.
British trees: common types and how to identify them
Can you spot an oak from a horse chestnut tree, or an birch from a hazel? Learn how to identify common tree species in the UK with our expert guide on British trees.
Hawthorn tree guide: berry, blossom and why it's called the May tree
Learn all about the hawthorn tree, including what its leaves, blossom and berries look like, and why it is referred to as the May tree.
Common lime tree: petals, leaves, caterpillars and symbolism
Learn all about one of Britain's most spectacular tree species with our beginner's guide to common lime trees.
Hazel tree guide: catkins, nuts and coppicing
Learn all about one of Britain's most important tree species with our beginner's guide to hazel trees.
Britain's most poisonous berries: 9 toxic fruits to avoid
They may look tasty but looks can be deceiving and these 9 poisonous berries should be avoided at all cost
Elder tree guide: flowers, leaves and its power to ward off evil spirits
Elder trees are famous for their elderflowers and elderberries, but did you know they were once used to ward off evil spirits?
Silver birch guide: the "most beautiful of forest trees – the Lady of the woods"
Learn all about the silver birch, including what its leaves and bark look like, its relationship with fungi and the unusual folklore associated with the tree.
Beech tree guide: leaves, seeds and how to identify
Learn all about one of Britain's most adored tree species with our beginner's guide to beech trees.
Holly tree guide: what it looks like, berries and folklore
Learn all about the leaf, berries and folklore of one of Britain's most festive tree species with our beginner's guide to holly.
Horse chestnut tree: what its leaves look like, when it flowers and when conkers appear
Learn all about the leaf, flower and conker of one of Britain's favourite tree species with our beginner's guide to horse chestnut trees.
Scots pine: how Britain’s only native pine flourishes in the wild glens of the Scottish Highlands
Tall and elegant, the Scots pine flourishes in the wild glens of the Highlands – come rain, shine or snowfall. Ecologist Andrew Painting reveals the secrets of Britain’s most tenacious tree
How to save water in your garden
As our summers become warmer and drier, it may be necessary for gardeners to change their habits. Our guide includes information on rainwater harvesting, when to water your garden and ways to make your garden more drought-resistant.
Podcast: Listen to the poetry of moss in a Dartmoor rainforest with Elizabeth-Jane Burnett
Be soothed with a wonderfully cooling wander with poet Elizabeth-Jane Burnett in a wild rainforest on Dartmoor – in episode 11, season 16 of the Countryfile Magazine Plodcast
Guide to Britain's lichens: what they are, where to find them and how to identify
There are roughly 1,800 species of lichen in the UK, growing on stone, bark, even old leaves. But did you know they're not even a plant? Learn the amazing truth in our expert guide to lichen, plus the most common types to find in the UK.
Britain's most spectacular autumn arboretums
Britain's trees are at their most beautiful in the autumn months, making September, October and November a great time of year to visit arboretums such as Westonbirt, Batsford and the National Memorial Arboretum. Find out more about these spectacular tree collections and more with BBC Countryfile Magazine's guide to the UK's best arboretums
Heather guide: learn how to identify different species and where they grow
As summer comes to an end and autumn approaches, the heaths of England, Wales and Scotland become awash with pink and purple heather. Learn more about the various UK species of this unique shrub – including ling, bell heather and cross-leaved heath – and the conditions they need to thrive.