We work hard to make sure our urban canals bring the heart of the countryside to some of the country’s most built up areas.
What flowers will you find along our urban canals?
Canals serve as vital green spaces in the heart of bustling cities, bringing a touch of nature to some of the UK's most built-up areas.
Discover some of the most popular flowers that bloom along the towpaths, bridges and walls along the canals of the UK, adding colour and life to the landscape and supporting local wildlife.
Ivy-leaved toadflax
Cymbalaria muralis
Ivy-leaved toadflax is a charming flower that resembles a miniature snapdragon, with purple and yellow blooms that often grow on bridges, walls and other urban structures. Thought to have been introduced into gardens as early as the 17th century, this flower became a popular ornamental plant during the 17th to 19th centuries when many walled gardens were created.
Today, ivy-leaved toadflax can be found in abundance along urban canals, adding vibrant splashes of colour to our towns and cities. This flower is an essential nectar source for early pollinators like bees in the spring.
Ivy-leaved toadflax is a low trailing plant with small purple flowers.
Red dead-nettle
Lamium purpureum
Red dead-nettle, a member of the mint family, is easily recognised by its characteristic four-sided square stem and distinct purple flowers. Despite its name, it does not sting like a true nettle, making it a safe choice for urban gardeners. Red dead-nettle is particularly important for bees, as it blooms early in the season, providing one of the first sources of nectar when food is scarce.
This hardy plant can often be found growing in the cracks of pavement and along canal paths, offering essential food for bees and other pollinators in cities.
It's thought that red dead-nettle gets its name from its inability to sting.
Ivy
Hedera helix
Ivy is one of the few native evergreen plants in the UK. This plant provides nectar, pollen, and berries for insects, such as the red admiral butterfly, and offers essential shelter for birds, bats, and other creatures, particularly in the colder months when food is scarce.
Ivy thrives on canal walls and other urban environments.
Daisy
Bellis perennis
The humble daisy is not only a beautiful flower but also incredibly resilient to damage by insects. This perennial plant is actually two flowers in one. The white petals count as one flower and the cluster of tiny yellow disc petals that form the 'eye' is technically another.
Daisies grow easily in a variety of environments, especially in urban areas, and are a favourite nectar source for bees.
You can often spot daisies along the towpaths and edges of city canals.
Shepherd's purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Shepherd's purse gets its name from the small, triangular-shaped fruits that resemble a purse. It's a flowering plant in the mustard family, and the leaves can be added to salads for a peppery flavour. It also has a long history of medicinal uses, such as its ability to stop bleeding due to plant proteins that mimic oxytocin.
It is another early-blooming plant that supports pollinators in urban environments, especially in the early months of the year.
Shepherd's purse can be found along urban canal towpaths, often in disturbed soils.
Lesser celandine
Ficaria verna
Lesser celandine is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, creating a carpet of bright yellow flowers along urban towpaths. As one of the earliest sources of nectar, lesser celandine is crucial for pollinators in cities after the long winter months, particularly queen bumblebees that emerge from hibernation in early spring.
Lesser celandine’s heart-shaped leaves and vibrant flowers make it standout.
Why are urban canals important for biodiversity?
Our canals provide habitats for plants and wildlife, while also acting as an important food sources for pollinators and other insects. In cities, where green spaces are often limited, urban canals offer a much-needed home for a variety of species, as well as adding a splash of colour to the landscape.
