I took some from my parents’ house in Cornwall. It grows up the stony walls and along the paths near their house – and up the back steps of garden, which are damp and shady. I love its shape and the places it reminds me of.

I’ve grown it in 2 different places in the garden. Both shady, one down by the pond. One is in a pot under the roof terrace. The leaves look much bigger than the ones in Cornwall, I think this is because it’s in rich soil – the stuff in Cornwall is growing up the walls. I’m hoping this summer it will seed into the wall behind it….

My wildflower book says it is only found in the SW of England and I wonder if one day people will be confused that it has taken hold in Hackney…

DECEMBER 2020