Large Heath on Cotton Grass: Life on the Edge of Cornwall’s Wetlands Butterflies The Large Heath butterfly (Coenonympha tullia) The Large Heath, now considered extinct in Cornwall, was bound to Common and Hare’s-tail Cotton Grass in intact peat bogs. Its return would require re-wetted, open bogs, region-wide cooperation, and years of patient monitoring before this delicate summer presence could flutter again. By Editorial Team • 4 min read
Emerald on Gold: The Green Hairstreak and Cornwall’s Spring Gorse Butterflies Green Hairstreak butterfly (Callophrys rubi). In Cornwall’s spring, the Green Hairstreak butterfly gleams against golden gorse. This small, elusive species depends on both gorse and bird’s-foot trefoil for survival, making the protection of scrub mosaics and grassy slopes vital to its future. By Editorial Team • 6 min read
Small Tortoiseshell & Sedum: An Early Autumn Partnership in Cornwall Butterflies Small Tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais urticae) In Cornwall’s early autumn, Sedum’s rich blooms fuel Small Tortoiseshell butterflies for hibernation. Gardens with nectar-rich borders, nettles, and undisturbed winter shelters help this vibrant species survive from one season to the next. By Editorial Team • 5 min read
Wall Brown & Red Clover: A Late-Summer Dance in Cornwall’s Grasslands Butterflies Wall Brown butterfly (Lasiommata megera) In late-summer Cornwall, Wall Browns feed on peak-bloom Red Clover, their second brood thriving in the warm, flower-rich grasslands that link butterfly and plant in a finely tuned seasonal partnership. By Editorial Team • 5 min read
Shadows and Gold: The Scotch Argus on Devil’s-bit Scabious in Cornwall’s Late Summer Butterflies Scotch Argus butterfly (Erebia aethiops) In Cornwall’s upland meadows, the rare Scotch Argus meets its late-summer ally, Devil’s-bit Scabious. Here, dark wings over purple flowerheads mark a fleeting partnership — one sustained by nectar, fine grasses for larvae, and the linked meadow-heath networks these landscapes depend on. By Editorial Team • 5 min read
Seasonal Solstice and Equinox Planting with the Moon in Cornwall In Cornwall, solstices and equinoxes can anchor your gardening year. Timed with the moon’s phases, they guide sowing, transplanting, and feeding — from midsummer flowers at the summer solstice to garlic after the autumn equinox, all in step with tradition and the turning light. By Editorial Team • 3 min read
Seasonal August 2025 Lunar Planting Calendar for Cornwall In Cornwall, August’s moon phases guide what to sow, harvest, and prepare. From root crops in the waning moon to leafy greens after the Black Moon, this month blends tradition and season, helping gardeners work in harmony with the tides, soil, and silver light above. By Editorial Team • 2 min read
Soil Secrets Soil at the Edge: Soil Breakthroughs Changing Cornwall’s Land This Season New advances in soil science are reshaping Cornwall’s farming, gardening, and land care—from fabricated soils and erosion control to herbal leys and Eden Project labs. In 2025, the future of soil in the Duchy is not just urgent, but beautifully rooted. By Editorial Team • 3 min read
Beyond Botanicals Marking the Seasons: When Cornwall’s Plants Signal a New Chapter From magnolias to Michaelmas daisies, Cornwall’s plants form a living calendar. This article explores how blooms, rituals, and ancient customs help communities mark the seasons—blending folklore, ecology, and beauty through every chapter of the year. By Editorial Team • 5 min read
Beyond Botanicals Reviving Pillas: The Forgotten Cornish Oat with Roots in Soil and Story Once thought lost, the Cornish naked oat known as pillas is being rediscovered. Its revival reveals a rich story of forgotten foods, resilient farming, and the deep cultural roots of Cornwall’s biodiversity. By Editorial Team • 4 min read
Soil Secrets Phylum (CSP1-3): How Cutting-Edge Soil Science is Shaping Cornwall’s Future New research reveals how microbes, plant roots, and digital tools are transforming soil care. From cleaner water to climate resilience, these breakthroughs offer practical benefits for Cornwall’s farmers, growers, and landscapes. By Editorial Team • 5 min read
Beyond Botanicals Invisible Landscapes: Scent, Memory, and the Emotional Power of Cornish Botanicals Scent shapes how we remember, feel, and belong. In Cornwall, wild botanicals like gorse, camomile, and thrift create an invisible landscape—anchoring memory, soothing emotion, and carrying the essence of place in every breath. By Editorial Team • 4 min read
