Celandine Gardens

Two types of common wild flowers bear the name Celandine, both yellow, but they are not related. The lesser Celandine, or Ranunculus Ficaria, also known as the Pilewort or Figwort, is classified as a buttercup and can be found flourishing in damp, shady places in meadows and woods and gardens all over the British Isles. It bears yellow flowers from March to May and can often be found growing amongst bluebells. The Greater Celandine, or Chelidonium Majus, on the other hand, is classified as a poppy and prefers hedgerows, banks and walls. Its sap has been used for centuries in Asia for the removal of warts and corns, while in this country the thick yellow juice was believed to be a powerful remedy for weak sight. The name celandine itself, recorded a local place name in a new development at Chaddlewood, is said to be derived from the Greek for a swallow, as its flowering period – May-September – coincides with the arrival of these birds.