Cowslips (Primula veris) are a prolific wildflower in their natural habitat which is chalk grassland. Unfortunately a great deal of grassland has been lost due to intensive agriculture and urbanisation. Even so P. veris can still be found in the countryside and occasionally in town where conditions allow.

 The cemetery in Hitchin, Hertfordshire has drifts of Cowslips in flower among the tombstones. Once it would have been on the edge of town, no doubt some field or pasture that was purchased to become a burial ground. Now it is surrounded by houses- a large council estate on one side and an upmarket development on the other.

 The Cowslips persist however. The key to maintaining wildflowers in urban areas is management of the grass cutting timetable. Thankfully the mania for constant mowing has receded somewhat as has the insistence that all "weeds" must be doused in herbicide. In this location at least the Cowslips are doing well.