Gorse

Gorse is amazing at adapting to its environment: its sharp spikes protect it from hungry animals; its flowers attract pollinators with their bright yellow petals and coconut-like fragrance; and its seeds pop out when they are ripe.

‘When gorse is in bloom, kissing is in season.’ There are many variations of this country saying but the truth is that gorse is never really out of flower, so there will always be time for kissing!

It is common in disturbed areas, grasslands, shrublands, forest margins, coastal habitats and wasteland. The common name comes from the Old English ‘gorst’, meaning a wasteland or uncultivated area.