Wildflowers haven’t yet featured in this countdown so today’s post seeks to remedy that omission (you might think the letter W would be the obvious choice but that letter is already allocated to one of this year’s star species – can you guess which?). So, as these gorgeous members of the pea family are some of my favourite wildflowers, this year V is for vetch – and vetchling, and also Hairy tare as it’s one of the Vicia species.

Common vetch (Vicia sativa)

Bush vetch (Vicia sepium), left, and Crown vetch (Securigera varia), right

Tufted vetch (Vicia cracca)

Meadow vetching (Lathyrus pratensis), left, and Hairy tare (Vicia hirsuta), right

And, finally, my absolute favourite Grass vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia)