Looking back at my photos, it turns out that we visited Fountains Abbey on the same day as Jervaulx Abbey – that was a fab day out! Fountains Abbey is another ruined Cistercian monastery in North Yorkshire.
June wildflowers at the Abbey
The river Skell runs through the Fountains Abbey grounds and on into Studley Royal Water Garden. This means that there was a range of habitats for the local flora: wet by the river or dry in the stone ruins.
Russian comfrey – Symphytum x uplandicum
As you can see from the main image above, the Comfrey was doing very well, especially near the river. It was in lovely shades of lavender and purple.
![Russian comfrey Symphytum x uplandicum cow parsley Fountains Abbey Jun 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Russian-comfrey-Symphytum-x-uplandicum-cow-parsley-Fountains-Abbey-Jun-2021-600x450.jpg)
![Russian comfrey plant Symphytum x uplandicum Fountains Abbey Jun 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Russian-comfrey-plant-Symphytum-x-uplandicum-Fountains-Abbey-Jun-2021-600x450.jpg)
Plants enjoying dry conditions in the ruins
Wallflowers and Willowherb were enjoying the good drainage in the stone walls.
![Wallflower erysimum cheiranthus cheiri Fountains Abbey Jun 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Wallflower-erysimum-cheiranthus-cheiri-Fountains-Abbey-Jun-2021-600x450.jpg)
![Broad leaved willowherb Epilobium montanum Fountains Abbey Jun 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Broad-leaved-willowherb-Epilobium-montanum-Fountains-Abbey-Jun-2021-600x450.jpg)
More water loving plants
Monkeyflower and Bistort were both growing right by the river. Apparently Mimulus species are hard to ID and can hybridise.
![Monkeyflower Mimulus Fountains Abbey Jun 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Monkeyflower-Mimulus-Fountains-Abbey-Jun-2021-600x450.jpg)
![Common bistort flower Persicaria Polygonum bistorta Fountains Abbey Jun 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Common-bistort-flower-Persicaria-Polygonum-bistorta-Fountains-Abbey-Jun-2021-450x600.jpg)
Lady’s mantle in the grass
I haven’t seen Alchemilla outside a garden setting in the South East, but saw it a few times in Yorkshire and Derbyshire. I have read that the different British wild species can be confused with the garden escape Alchemilla mollis, so won’t venture a species name.
![Ladys mantle Alchemilla Fountains Abbey Jun 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Ladys-mantle-Alchemilla-Fountains-Abbey-Jun-2021-600x600.jpg)
On the same trip: Kirkby Moor nature reserve in Lincolnshire | Solomons Temple Buxton in Derbyshire
Pilsbury castle in Derbyshire | More about this trip