Blooms on Kent field and river margins
Mike and I took our campervan to Marden in Kent soon after the first lockdown finished, and went on a lovely walk amongst the orchards and fields.
![orchard marden kent july 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/orchard-marden-kent-july-2020-450x600.jpg)
Flowers of the field margins
We followed footpaths across fields between orchards.
![mike barley field kent 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/mike-barley-field-kent-2020-e1611082350965-600x241.jpg)
![barley marden kent july 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/barley-marden-kent-july-2020-600x450.jpg)
Mayweed
Mayweed was a common presence but I haven’t got to grips with identifying it yet. Firstly I never remember to sniff it in situ! Then when I get home and compare the photos with the pictures in my book, it doesn’t go well. I decide that I have spotted Scentless mayweed, Tripleurospermum inodorum, until I see mention of various similar Anthemis species such as Stinking chamomile and Corn chamomile and I lose confidence.
![mayweed marden kent july 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/mayweed-marden-kent-july-2020-600x450.jpg)
Chicory – Cichorium intybus
I was more confident about this beautiful blue flower, although it turns out that chicory is quite similar to Common blue-sowthistle, Cicerbita macrophylla, although the overall form is quite different.
![chicory Cichorium intybus marden kent july 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/chicory-Cichorium-intybus-marden-kent-july-2020-600x450.jpg)
Invasive species by the river
The Lesser Teise river offered some welcome shade and we spotted some Indian balsam, Impatiens glandulifera on the right bank.
![lesser teise marden july 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/lesser-teise-marden-july-2020-600x450.jpg)
Indian balsam – Impatiens glandulifera
I have always known this invading species as Himalayan balsam. I know it quite well, as although not photographed, it is visible from the road a few miles away from us in Sussex. There is blooms in a range of shades from white through to dark pink and is often over a metre tall. I can see why people originally imported it to grow in gardens, but it’s a shame it’s such a bully and escaped into nature. These flowers in Marden were only in the palest of pinks.
![indian balsam impatiens glandulifera marden kent july 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/indian-balsam-impatiens-glandulifera-marden-kent-july-2020-600x450.jpg)