WESTERN GORSE Ulex gallii

Commonly known as Western Gorse, Autumn Gorse, or Dwarf Furze. It's a shrub of heathlands on infertile acidic soils, including leached soils overlying chalk and limestone; it is also found on sea-cliffs, in undergrazed or abandoned pastures, and on scrubby banks and waste ground. It is compact, spiny, and evergreen.

It is famously known for painting maritime cliffs and heathlands a deep golden-yellow from late summer through autumn.

Provides vital nesting sites and shelter for birds like the Dartford warbler, stonechat, and linnet, as well as a nectar source for bees and butterflies

Height: 1.2m

Flowers: July to September

Colour: Yellow