The Picos de Europa – Day 4: Desfiladero de La Hermida

See the highlights from our diarists fourth day in the Picos de Europa. ...(more below)
July 16, 2019
AGS Editor
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Our fourth day was supposed to be a rest day for the staff, where guests were left to their own devices. Because we were friends, we decided with our botanical companion to do some easy roadside botanising in the area around the Hermida Gorge.

In particular, I wanted to revisit the meadow at Pineres, where our Monday visit was cut short by persistent drizzle.

The temperature had been rising all week and was forecast to be well into the 30s by the afternoon.

Elegant mountain retreat with traditional stone architecture set against lush green hills and rugged mountains, perfect for gardening enthusiasts and members of the Alpine Garden Society.
Alpine Garden Society headquarters built in a traditional mountain style with scenic alpine mountains in the background, highlighting the society's dedication to alpine plant cultivation and conservation.

Hermida Gorge

Our first stop was in a layby in bottom of the Hermida Gorge, next to the river Deva.  We crossed the road carefully to a grassy bank of scree. Then we set off up a footpath that ran up alongside a stream tumbling down to join the river.

Serapias lingua

The grassy bank held some interesting plants; this deep red form of Serapias lingua was particularly spectacular with the backlighting to bring out its colour.

Pink and purple alpine flowers blooming amid lush green grass and foliage, showcasing the diversity of plants supported by the Alpine Garden Society in a natural garden setting.
Vivid red and purple iris flower blooming in a lush garden setting, showcasing vibrant colours and intricate petal details, ideal for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Vivid pink and purple Alpine flower blooming in a mountain garden with blurred green foliage in the background.

Ophrys apifera

A few paces up the path from the Serapias, moving into the shade, we found a Bee Orchid just starting to open.

Rare alpine bee orchid blooming in mountain gardens, showcasing the beauty of wild orchids suitable for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Violet bee orchid in bloom, native to alpine and mountainous regions, showcased at Alpine Garden Society for rare wildflower conservation and alpine plant enthusiasts.

Vincetoxicum hirundinaria

This was growing at the top of the bank, as we moved into the shade. It was a new plant to me as it does not grow in the UK. It is very poisonous but, as with many poisonous plants, it also has medical uses; the generic name Vincetoxicum means ‘antidote to poison’. The specific name hirundinaria refers to the resemblance its seed pods have in shape to a swallow’s wings or tail.

Green flowering plant with star-shaped yellow flowers and elongated blue-green leaves, native to alpine regions, ideal for rock gardens and containers, featured by the Alpine Garden Society for hardy garden plants.
Alpine plant with green leaves and small yellow-green flowers, suitable for alpine gardens and container displays.

After this, the path ascended quite steeply up the tributary valley, through open scrub, patrolled by huge black slugs. In the shade of the gorge the air was quite fresh and it was a joy to be out looking for flowers.

Trail through lush greenery in an alpine garden, showcasing vibrant plants and trees in a natural setting, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and alpine garden lovers.
Vibrant green vegetation in a steep mountain valley with rocky cliffs and a tunnel entrance, illustrating the natural beauty and diverse flora of alpine environments.
Alpine stream flowing over rocks in a lush woodland setting, ideal for alpine gardening and natural landscape inspiration.
Wild alpine garden trail surrounded by lush greenery and rugged cliffs, ideal for alpine plant enthusiasts and nature lovers exploring mountain flora and ecosystems.
Richter's Garter Snake blending into alpine garden ground cover, surrounded by grass and small plants.

Petrocoptis pyrenaica subsp glaucifolia

Under the overhanging rocks of the gorge, in deep shade, we found our first plants of this Spanish endemic, familiar to most rock gardeners.  I have kept the name familiar with alpine gardeners; the ‘correct’ name for this is now Silene glaucifolia.

Silene nutans

Also up this shady valley we found a few plants of the Nottingham catch-fly, Silene nutans, a rare British native. The flowers looked tired and you could easily decide it was over. That is often the way with this species, which is evening-flowering like Evening Primrose.

Wild alpine flowers in natural setting, showcasing rare plants suitable for alpine gardens, with lush green foliage in the background.
Vicia vallis-trieste, wildflower, alpine plant, mountain meadow, alpine garden, rare plant species, botanical conservation, nature photography, native flora, ecological biodiversity.

Anacamptis pyramidalis

In one of the sunnier patches there were a few Pyramidal orchids just opening.

Asplenium ceterach

Here’s another rare British native, the Rusty-back fern, familiar from the show bench, growing in profusion in a shady limestone scree.

Jasminum fruticans

More of a surprise in a way was this tangled thicket of wild jasmine.

Saxifraga paniculata

Saxifraga paniculata was just beginning to flower on the shaded cliffs.

Alpine rock garden flowering plant with small white blossoms and green foliage, typical of alpine flora, showcased on a garden rock wall.
Delicate white alpine flowers blooming amidst moss and grass, showcasing alpine gardening beauty and plant diversity in mountain environments.
Delicate alpine flower with white petals and yellow centre growing in rocky terrain, representative of alpine garden species and alpine plants cultivated by the Alpine Garden Society.

Arenaria grandiflora

This plant seems to resemble the pictures I can find for Arenaria grandiflora.

Primula auricula growing in rocky alpine habitat, showcasing the Alpine Garden Society’s focus on mountain plants for rock gardens and alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Erinus alpinus

Erinus alpinus was also growing in these rocky screes.

Linum bienne

Once again, Linum bienne attracted my attention.

Alpine flower with delicate white petals and blue veins, growing in rocky soil on a mountain trail.
Delphinium flower blooming in alpine garden setting with green foliage, showcasing vibrant colours and delicate petals.
Delicate blue alpine flower growing in rocky soil, showcasing alpine gardening and hardy plants for mountain landscapes.

Ophrys scolopax

On our way back down, we found the Woodcock orchids we had been searching for on the way up.

Purple orchid with distinctive patterned flowers growing in a natural alpine habitat.
Abyssinian orchid flower blooming in natural alpine garden setting, highlighting rare orchids for alpine plant enthusiasts.
Unique wild orchid growing in alpine grassland, showcasing the diverse flora featured by the Alpine Garden Society.
Orchid flower, wild garden plant, native flora, Alpine Garden Society, rare orchid in natural habitat, botanical illustration, wildflower photography, mountain plant species, conservation of native orchids, unique alpine flora.

Galium pyrenaicum

Further down, I encountered this tiny flower (finger included for scale). I thought initially it was Squinancywort (Asperula cynanchica) but we have identified it as Galium pyrenaicum.

Alpine plants growing among rocks, showcasing hardy flora suitable for mountainous and rocky garden settings.
Tiny alpine plants thriving among rocks in a garden setting, showcasing the beauty of hardy, low-maintenance flora for garden enthusiasts.

There were numerous lizards sunning themselves on the rocks along this quiet footpath, and even on the bridge parapet when we got back down to the road.

Lizard basking on a large rock in alpine garden vegetation with native plants and mosses.
Tiny lizard basking on rocky surface, useful for alpine garden habitat illustrations and reptile in mountain plants environments.
A small lizard basking on a cracked stone surface, highlighting alpine habitat wildlife and natural rock formations.

On our arrival from Bilbao airport, I had noted a double white rose growing in several places along the gorge, apparently wild. This is as close as I could get, it was growing on trees overhanging the river.

White flowering shrub in a lush garden setting with greenery and trees, showcasing the beauty of alpine plants for gardening enthusiasts.
Wild rose bushes with white blossoms growing near a rocky stream in a lush garden setting, representative of alpine garden flora.

Pineres Walled Meadow

Our second stop was a walled meadow just up the road from the Pineres meadow we visited on the first day. Eryngium bourgatii was growing by the gate as we entered.

Vast green valley with rolling hills and mountain backdrop, showcasing alpine flora typical of the Alpine Garden Society conservation areas in the UK.
Vivid purple and blue thistle flowers in a garden setting, representing alpine garden plants and wildflower flora for gardening enthusiasts.
A stunning purple thistle flower in full bloom, showcasing intricate spiky petals and vibrant colour, perfect for garden enthusiasts interested in alpine plants and Garden Society activities.

The carpet of flowers here was simply wonderful.

Wildflower meadow with diverse alpine plants and colourful blooms in a natural garden setting.
Wildflower meadow with diverse alpine plants and flowering grasses in the British countryside during spring.
Vibrant alpine wildflower meadow with colourful yellow, purple, and pink blooms in a mountainous landscape, showcasing biodiversity and natural beauty of alpine gardens.
Wildflower meadow with alpine plants and colourful blooms, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Wildflower meadow with native plants and trees in spring, representing natural beauty and biodiversity at Alpine Garden Society gardens, ideal for promoting botanical conservation and educational gardening in the UK.
Wildflower meadow with alpine plants and greenery at Alpine Garden Society, perfect for native plant enthusiasts and alpine garden lovers in the UK.
Wildflower meadow with diverse yellow, purple, and white blossoms in a natural alpine garden setting, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts.

Serapias lingua

It was hard to focus on individual plants but this clump of Serapias lingua caught my attention. The pink and silver, set in amongst the yellow of the hayrattle and the blue of milkwort, looked simply stunning.

Gymnadenia conopsea

All the orchids seemed to form little patches where one species in particular was dominant; there were several large groups of Fragrant Orchids (Gymnadenia conopsea).

Wildflower meadow featuring yellow, purple, and white wildflowers, perfect for alpine garden landscapes and natural plant display.
Wildflower meadow with native plants and colourful blooms, perfect for alpine gardens and garden design enthusiasts in the UK.
Violet Himalayan orchid growing amidst lush green grass in alpine meadow, showcasing alpine plant diversity and wildflower habitat.
Violet orchid climbing plant, native to alpine regions, ideal for rock gardens and wildflower landscapes, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts seeking hardy, colourful plants for mountainous environments.
Purple alpine flower blooming in a grassy garden setting, ideal for alpine gardening and rock garden enthusiasts.
Vernal orchid blooming in alpine garden, showcasing rare and native mountain flora for plant enthusiasts and gardeners.

Serapias cordigera

Serapias cordigera grew here in profusion. These were wonderful to see and photograph.

Wildflower meadow at Alpine Garden Society grounds showcasing native and alpine plants in bloom, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts.
Unique wild orchid blooms in lush alpine meadow, showcasing rare native plants, vibrant colours, and natural beauty perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts and wildflower connoisseurs.
Rich purple-brown flower of an orchid species in an alpine garden setting with yellow and green foliage background.
Vivid red and purple alpine orchid in a meadow with green grass and yellow wildflowers, showcasing the beauty of alpine plants and flowers for garden enthusiasts and botanists.
Wildflower meadow featuring purple irises and yellow wildflowers in a sunny alpine garden setting, showcasing native plants and natural beauty.
Bright blooming wild orchids in a lush grassy meadow, part of the Alpine Garden Society's collection of native plants, showcasing springtime blooms and natural wildlife habitat.
Adenophora coronaria blooming in a lush meadow with yellow wildflowers, showcasing its striking deep red and purple petals, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and wildflower lovers.
Purple orchid among green grass and yellow wildflowers in a natural alpine garden setting.

I think the little pink vetch in the last image is Vicia sativa. Note also the hungry caterpillar.

Anacamptis morio

We encountered a few last flowers on an orchid we hadn’t seen before on the trip, the Green-veined Orchid.

Violet wildflower in a lush green meadow under a clear blue sky, representing alpine flora and wildflower conservation at the Alpine Garden Society.
Violet alpine orchid flower showcasing vibrant purple blooms, ideal for alpine and mountain garden plant enthusiasts.

Hay Rattle

Of course the orchids are the stars but the key to these meadows is the thick mat of parasitic hay rattle (Rhinanthus minor) which weakens the grasses.

Prunella grandiflora

There were many flowers here we had seen before. This is Prunella grandiflora, or Selfheal. This is regarded as a vigorous perennial in gardens, for the herbaceous border rather than the rock garden, but we only ever saw small plants in the wild.

Euphrasia alpina subsp. asturica

I also photographed the tiny eyebright flowers before. Identification is a bit of a lottery, but why not the local Euphrasia alpina subsp. asturica.

Purple and white wildflowers with delicate petals in a natural grassy setting, representing alpine flora.
Wild alpine flower in green grassy meadow, native to mountainous regions, perfect for alpine gardens, showcasing delicate white petals and vibrant foliage.

Linum bienne

This meadow was dotted with the pale blue flowers of the flax Linum bienne. Where I photographed it previously on this holiday it was isolated plants but they were more numerous here.

Alpine garden society wildflower meadow with yellow buttercups and purple daisies in a lush green field.
Wildflower meadow with yellow buttercups and blue sier supports in lush green grass, ideal for alpine garden natural landscapes and biodiversity.
Wild alpine flowers in tall grass for alpine gardening and plant enthusiasts.
Delicate white alpine flower with blue veins on green grassy background, vibrant and detailed, showcasing alpine gardening and plant biodiversity.

Dactylorhiza fuchsii

This is the photographer in his element, happy as a pig in a mud puddle. I am photographing a drift of Common Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) and Serapias and the view across the meadow. I could have stayed here happily for the rest of the day.

Wildflower meadow in the Scottish Highlands, perfect for alpine plant enthusiasts and garden visitors.
Vibrant alpine meadow with wildflowers and rolling green hillside at a community garden in the UK, showcasing alpine plant displays and biodiversity for garden enthusiasts.
Wild alpine flowers in a lush meadow, showcasing colourful native plants for alpine gardening and conservation. Ideal for garden enthusiasts and botanists interested in alpine plants and natural habitats.
Vivid alpine meadow with blooming wildflowers including orchids and larkspur under a bright blue sky, showcasing alpine garden flora ideal for enthusiasts and gardeners interested in mountain plant cultivation.
A rare alpine orchid blooming in a lush grassy meadow, surrounded by wildflowers and alpine vegetation, under a clear blue sky.
Floral spike of wild orchid in a natural alpine meadow, showcasing delicate white and purple blooms with intricate patterns, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and wildflower lovers.
Violet orchid flower in a lush green alpine meadow with wildflowers under a bright blue sky.
Violet orchid flower in a lush alpine meadow, showcasing vibrant wildflowers and mountain flora, representative of alpine garden plant species and biodiversity.

Serapias cordigera

As we walked back up the far side of the meadow, the Serapias cordigera seemed to be everywhere and they were magnificent plants.

Wildflower meadow with diverse alpine plants, vibrant colours, and lush greenery in an alpine garden setting. Perfect for enthusiasts of alpine flora and garden design.
Wild alpine meadow with blooming purple and yellow wildflowers, lush green grass, and surrounding trees, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and native plant conservation.
Alpine wildflowers growing in a meadow, showcasing vibrant purple and yellow blooms typical of alpine gardens and mountain flora.
Wildflower meadow with alpine plants and mountain backdrop in the Alps, showcasing diverse flora for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts.
Sparse meadow with blooming wildflowers and a tree in the background, showcasing natural beauty and Alpine flora for gardening enthusiasts.
Deep red rare orchid growing in alpine meadow with wildflowers in the background, showcasing native flora of the Alpine Garden Society.
Dark purple iris flower blooming in a meadow with wildflowers and a stone wall in the background, highlighting alpine plant gardening.
Wildflower meadow with mountain backdrop, representing alpine plants and gardening at the Alpine Garden Society. Perfect for enthusiasts interested in mountain flora and sustainable gardening in rugged landscapes.
Purple and yellow wildflowers blooming in a mountainous meadow with rocky peaks in the background, showcasing alpine garden flora and mountain plant species.
Violet and burgundy Himalayan Lady Orchid blooming in alpine meadow, showcasing native wildflowers of the Alpine Garden Society, perfect for rockeries and garden wildflower collections.
Rich Burgundy and purple Iris flowers in a garden setting with a stone wall background, showcasing alpine gardening and RHS award-winning plants.
Alpine garden tree with lush green leaves and clear blue sky, showcasing plants suitable for high-altitude gardening and alpine habitat preservation.
Wildflower meadow in an alpine garden with colourful flowers and lush green trees under a bright blue sky.
Alpine garden society members exploring wildflowers in a mountainous meadow during spring.

Dragging ourselves slowly away, we trickled back down the hill half a mile or less to the meadow we had visited the first day. It was wonderful to see it in sunshine. The views down the hill to the village of Cicera and across the meadow to the mountains were stunning.

Vibrant wildflower meadow overlooking alpine village with lush green hills, ideal for alpine gardening and plant enthusiasts at the Alpine Garden Society.
Vast alpine meadow with colourful wildflowers surrounded by lush green mountains and a charming mountain village, perfect for alpine gardening and outdoor enthusiasts.
Wildflower meadow with alpine plants overlooking a quaint village in a lush green landscape, ideal for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts and rock garden gardening.
Wildflower meadow with mountain backdrop, featuring lush greenery and blooming flowers, representing Alpine Garden Society's focus on alpine and mountain plants and outdoor gardening in the UK.
Wildflower meadow with daisies, grasses, and colourful alpine plants in a natural garden setting for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Wildflower meadow with diverse alpine plants and colourful blooms, ideal for alpine gardening enthusiasts, part of Alpine Garden Society’s nature conservation and plant habitats promotion.

Anacamptis pyramidalis

The magenta sheen from the Pyramidal Orchids was even more striking in sunshine. Again it was hard to focus on the individual plants, as they blended into a tapestry of hay rattle and umbellifers.

Alpine wildflowers blooming on a grassy hillside in the mountains, representing alpine gardening and flower cultivation.
Wildflower meadow with colourful alpine plants and grasses, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and natural pollinator habitats.
Violet orchid pyramid on a green blurred background, close-up of a vibrant purple flowering plant in a garden setting.
Vibrant alpine meadow filled with colourful wildflowers and grasses under a clear blue sky, showcasing the beauty of mountain flora.
Vivid pink orchid-like wildflower in a natural alpine garden setting, showcasing native plants for garden enthusiasts and botanists interested in alpine and wildflower gardening.
Vibrant wildflower meadows in an alpine landscape with rolling hills, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts and plant lovers seeking alpine flora diversity.
Vibrant alpine wildflowers blooming on a hillside, featuring colourful orchids, daisies, and buttercups in a lush mountain landscape.
Vivid purple pyramidal orchid flower, native to alpine gardens, showcasing vibrant colours and unique shape, ideal for alpine plant enthusiasts and garden displays.
Purple wildflowers blooming in a meadow with green grasses and other colourful blooms, representing the beauty of native plants and wildflower meadows promoted by the Alpine Garden Society.

Linum viscosum

One of the reasons I had wanted to return was the lovely pink Linum viscosum. When we visited the first time, these were rather bedraggled in the rain. In the sun, they were everything I had hoped for, making a soft pink shimmer below the Filipendula and umbellifers.

Alpine meadow filled with wildflowers in a mountainous landscape, representing alpine gardening and native plant diversity for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts.
Blooming wildflower meadow in the Alpine Garden Society's cultivated landscape, showcasing a variety of colourful native plants suitable for alpine gardening and conservation efforts.
Wildflower meadow in alpine garden setting with colourful native flowers and grasses, highlighting biodiversity conservation and natural beauty for Alpine Garden Society members and enthusiasts.
Pink wildflowers and yellow blooms in an alpine meadow, showcasing diverse native plants perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and wildflower habitats.
Pink Alpine Geranium flower in a natural garden setting, showcasing vibrant blooms and lush greenery, ideal for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts and plant lovers.
Violet blooms of Alpine flowers thriving in natural garden setting, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries.
Wildflower meadow on a hillside showcasing a variety of colourful alpine plants and flowers for alpine gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Pink wildflowers in alpine garden setting with lush green grass and small yellow blooms, showcasing native alpine flora and wildflower diversity.
Pink wildflower from the Alpine Garden Society, showcasing vibrant bloom and natural habitat, ideal for enthusiasts of alpine plants and mountain flora.
Pink alpine flowers in a natural garden setting, showcasing the beauty of alpine plant species suitable for garden enthusiasts and alpine gardeners.
Pink alpine flowers in a garden setting, vibrant blooms perfect for rock gardens and alpine plant collections, showcasing the beauty of hardy plants suitable for mountainous regions.

Once round the bend in the road, we had views over a sweep of hillside woven with flowers. In the distance, a small group of black Spanish cattle with big horns (not the local mountain breed we saw everywhere) were contained by an apparently flimsy electric fence, waiting to be allowed onto more of the meadow.

Wildflower meadow with native plants and colourful blooms in a scenic outdoor landscape for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Wildflower meadow with alpine plants, colourful blooms, and lush greenery in a natural landscape, ideal for alpine gardening enthusiasts and garden enthusiasts interested in wildflower habitats.
Vibrant wildflower meadow in the Alpine Garden Society’s botanical conservation area with rolling hills and blue sky in the background, showcasing native British flora and natural habitats.
Wildflower meadow with people studying alpine plants in a mountainous garden setting, showcasing alpine gardening and native flora conservation.
Vibrant alpine wildflowers blooming on a hillside with lush greenery and a clear blue sky, showcasing the natural beauty of alpine gardens and mountain flora.
Violet wildflowers blooming in an alpine meadow with grazing cattle under a bright blue sky, showcasing native plants and scenic mountain landscapes.
Wildflower meadow in the Scottish Highlands, featuring colourful native plants, perfect for alpine gardens and plant enthusiasts interested in native flora and natural landscaping.
Wildflower meadow in the Cotswolds with colourful blooms, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and rock garden plants, showcasing natural beauty and biodiversity in the UK.
Wildflower meadow with alpine plants, colourful flowers, and lush green grass, ideal for alpine gardening and nature enthusiasts, showcasing biodiversity and natural beauty at Alpine Garden Society events.

Serapias cordigera

Again, the groups of Serapias cordigera were magnificent. Sometimes the deep red and silver draws the eye but at others they seem to almost disappear into the tapestry of flowers.

Wildflower meadow with blooming native plants on a hillside, showcasing diverse alpine flora in the UK, ideal for alpine gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Wild alpine flowers in a meadow, showcasing vibrant and diverse flora perfect for alpine gardens and naturalised planting.
Wildflower meadow with diverse alpine plants and grasses, under a clear blue sky, representing the natural beauty of alpine gardens. Perfect for garden enthusiasts and alpine plant lovers.
Wildflower meadow on mountain hillside with diverse alpine plants and colourful blossoms under blue sky, Scottish Alpine Garden Society, conservation, biodiversity, mountain flora, native plants, eco-friendly gardening, nature preservation, outdoor gardening, plant enthusiasts.
Vivid wildflower meadow featuring native alpine plants, including purple irises, white daisies, and pink clover, showcasing biodiversity and natural beauty of alpine gardens.
A vibrant alpine garden meadow with wildflowers including purple irises, white daisies, and yellow buttercups, perfect for alpine gardening and wildflower display.
Violet and yellow wildflowers in a lush alpine meadow, showcasing diverse native flora of the Alpine Garden Society. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and garden lovers interested in alpine plants and conservation.

Umbellifers

In this vast expanse of flowers, the most eye-catching plants were the white umbellifers dotted everywhere. They were always going to be difficult to identify and the pictures I took do not include the details necessary for identification.

Wildflower meadow on a hillside under a blue sky, alpine garden society, native plants, floral diversity, conservation, eco-friendly gardening, mountain flora, botanical beauty, sustainable gardening practices, floral herbarium, endemic species, environmental stewardship, natural landscape, landscape gardening.
Wildflower meadow on a hillside with diverse alpine plants and blooms, ideal for alpine gardens and plant enthusiasts.
Colourful wildflower meadow with grazing cattle on a hillside, showcasing natural alpine and mountain plant habitat, ideal for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts.
Vibrant alpine meadow filled with colourful wildflowers, including daisies and purple blooms, under a bright sky, showcasing the beauty of a mountain garden in full bloom.
Colourful wildflower meadow featuring alpine plants and native flowers, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and landscape gardening. Perfect for creating vibrant, naturalistic alpine gardens.
Alpine wildflowers in a lush mountain meadow, showcasing diverse native plants ideal for alpine gardens and natural landscaping.
Wildflower meadow with alpine plants and colourful blooms in a natural garden setting for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts.
Vibrant white and pink flowering plant from the Alpine Garden Society, showcasing alpine flora in a natural outdoor setting.
AOS_Spiranthes_Alpine_Garden_Society_Flower.jpg.
Soft pink and white flowering plant, Queen Anne's Lace, in a lush garden setting. Perfect for alpine gardening and wildflower enthusiasts.

Teucrium pyrenaicum

Other plants which were not so prevalent were easier to identify. the deep blue of Prunella grandiflora, and a large mat of Teucrium pyrenaicum.

Quaking Grass

Quaking Grass (Briza media) was everywhere. I had another go at photographing it, though it never stops moving, in even the slightest breeze.

Wildflower plant in a meadow with yellow and pink flowers, clear blue sky background – typical scene from alpine gardens and natural floral displays.
Delicate seed pods of alpine plants against a vibrant blue sky and scenic mountain meadow, showcasing alpine gardening and botanical diversity.

Finally, a few more views of the meadow stretching away back down towards the Hermida Gorge.

Wildflower meadow in the Alps with mountain backdrop, showcasing alpine plants and lush green landscape, ideal for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Vast alpine meadow with wildflowers and lush green hills against rugged mountain peaks under a bright blue sky, showcasing the beauty of alpine gardens and outdoor nature in the Alps.
Alpine Garden Society field with wildflowers and mountainous landscape in the background, showcasing alpine flora and scenic beauty.
Vast alpine garden meadow with diverse wildflowers in bloom, showcasing the beauty of alpine flora and perfect for plant enthusiasts and garden lovers seeking native plant diversity.
Vibrant alpine meadow with wildflowers in a scenic mountain valley, perfect for alpine gardening and plant enthusiasts.

Mirador de Santa Catalina

Having seen these meadows in sun, we had to return to the viewpoint to see the views of the gorge in better weather.

Saxifraga canaliculata

I got better pictures this time of the saxifrage growing in the gutter of the abandoned building.

Swallowtail Butterflies

The open woodland around the viewpoint was constantly crossed by Swallowtail butterflies (both the UK native Swallowtail and the Southern or Scarce Swallowtail), flying fast zigzag flights, looking for mates and never settling for a photo. If they encountered another of the right species, and presumably sex, the two would spiral higher and higher and faster and faster, way up into the sky.

Alpine garden with native trees and mountain scenery, showcasing the natural beauty of high-altitude plant habitats for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
A bird soaring in a clear blue sky, showcasing nature's beauty.

Desfiladero de La Hermida

After the excitement of trying and failing to photograph the butterflies, the views of the gorge were almost an anti-climax. But it was amazing to be up so high, looking down on the landscape spread out around us.

Vultures

Vultures soared abov us. The lower, larger bird is a Griffon vulture and the higher, smaller one, with more white on it, is an Egyptian vulture.

Vultures soaring against a bright blue sky, highlighting alpine wildlife and birdwatching opportunities at the Alpine Garden Society.
A soaring bird of prey against a clear blue sky, symbolising freedom and nature's grandeur.
Bird soaring above the mountains in clear blue sky, symbolising freedom and nature at its best for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Ophrys scolopax

On our descent back towards the gorge at Hermida we made two stops. The second was planned while the first was the result of my eyes somehow picking out an impressively large Woodcock orchid in perfect condition from the passing roadside vegetation.

Purple alpine orchid growing in rocky mountainous terrain, highlighting alpine gardening and native wildflowers for garden enthusiasts.
Bees pollinating a purple wildflower in alpine garden, close-up of bee pollination on native wildflower, Alpine Garden Society plant conservation, pollinating bees in mountain flora habitat, vibrant purple flower with bees in wild alpine garden setting.
Violet Ophrys orchid in bloom, native to alpine regions, showcasing intricate floral patterns, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and wildflower conservation.
Violet bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) blooming in the wild, showcasing rare alpine garden flora with vibrant purple petals and intricate patterns, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Petrocoptis pyrenaica subsp. glaucifolia (Silene glaucifolia)

At our second stop there was a rock overhang, with a fresher plant of Petrocoptis pyrenaica subsp. glaucifolia beneath it.

Vivid pink alpine flowers growing along rugged rocky terrain, representing hardy alpine flora and mountain gardening.
Pink alpine flowers growing on a rocky wall, showcasing hardy plants suitable for alpine gardens, with vibrant blooms and foliage.

Polygala vulgaris

Our second stop was a steep, partially wooded scree. The spring had been so dry that many of the plants normally found here were not flowering.

Nevertheless, we searched the scree carefully for a hint of pink. Our first sighting was not what we were looking for but a pink Milkwort (probably Polygala vulgaris in its pink form).

Rocks and alpine plants in a mountainous landscape with trees and shade, ideal for understanding alpine garden environments and natural rocky terrain.
Violet alpine flower growing among rocks, local flora, mountain environment, hardy plant, wildflower, natural habitat, rugged terrain, close-up, botanical picture, alpine plant, nature photography, single blossom, resilient plant, outdoor scenery, garden wildflower, botanical illustration, endemic flora, mountain vegetation.
Purple alpine flower blooming amidst rocky terrain, showcasing alpine garden plants and greenery.

Cephalanthera rubra

Eventually we found it, in the semi-shaded grass at the bottom of the scree. Two tiny plants of what is a desperately rare UK native species, Cephalanthera rubra, the Red Helleborine. Apparently, most years they are bigger and more numerous; it was a thrill to find one at all.

Wild alpine plant with purple flowers growing among rocky and leaf-littered terrain, illustrating flora typically found in alpine environments.
Purple alpine flowers growing in rocky soil, illustrating garden diversity and plant resilience in high-altitude environments.

Epipactis helleborine

Further up the slope in wooded dry scree, we found a somewhat impoverished Broad-leaved Helleborine trying to flower.

Delphinium plant growing among rocks in a natural alpine garden setting.
A rare alpine orchid growing amid rocky terrain, showcasing vibrant petals and lush green leaves, perfect for enthusiasts of mountain gardening and alpine flower collections.
Wild orchid growing among rocks and fallen leaves in an alpine garden setting, showcasing native plants and biodiversity for gardening enthusiasts.
Violet woodland flower plant in a rocky alpine environment, showcasing rare blooms typical of alpine gardens and native to mountainous regions, perfect for enthusiasts of rockery and native plants.

Provencal Fritillary (?)

After that we returned to Tama and a relaxed late lunch on the hotel patio. While we ate, we watched the butterflies visit the garden flowers. Again, this proved tricky to identify but I think it is another Provencal Fritillary.

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Butterfly resting on white daisy flowers in alpine garden, pollinator conservation, garden butterflies, native flora, outdoor butterfly habitat, vibrant insect display.

The afternoon was very hot – mid-30s – and no-one wanted to do much apart from shower and sit in the shade. We did manage a short stroll along the road to the Picos de Europa National Park Visitors Centre but the heat sapped our energy to get involved with the exhibits. For me, the most interesting part was an enclosed courtyard in the centre of the building containing trees and demonstrating woodland habitat. This had been colonised by a small group of Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera), fully out and in fine condition. I don’t have photos I’m afraid, I couldn’t get into the courtyard.

Potes

As evening approached, we were given a lift into Potes, to explore the pretty medieval town and later dine with the rest of the party in one of the restaurants there. The town is a maze of twisting streets and alleyways, with some wonderful old buildings along the main road. It is very picturesque and worthy of more focused efforts with the camera.

Colourful alpine mountain village with traditional architecture and shops, ideal for gardening enthusiasts and visitors to the Alpine Garden Society.
Alpine Garden Society logo and visitor at a mountain village in the Alps, showcasing the connection between alpine gardening and high-altitude plant environments.

River Quiviesa

The river Quiviesa runs right through the middle of Potes, sunk in a gorge deep below the level of the roads and buildings. A series of elegant, ancient bridges vault over the river.

Quaint cobbled street in a picturesque mountain village with lush greenery and scenic views, perfect for gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers seeking inspiration from the Alpine Garden Society.
Picturesque riverside village scene in the Alps with traditional architecture and lush greenery, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts and visitors exploring mountain landscapes and garden societies.
- A scenic stone arch bridge over a peaceful river surrounded by lush greenery, showcasing outdoor nature beauty and tranquil scenery.
Flowing river with lush trees and rocks, perfect for alpine and aquatic garden enthusiasts.
Picturesque stone bridge over a river with a mountain backdrop, showcasing alpine scenery and garden landscapes, ideal for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts.
Vibrant alpine village scene with historic stone bridge over river, surrounded by lush greenery and mountain backdrop, illustrating Alpine Garden Society's focus on alpine plants and gardens.

Mountains

Everywhere, if you look up, you can see the surrounding hills and the Picos in the distance.

Alpine Garden Society event in a picturesque mountain village with traditional buildings, families, and visitors enjoying a sunny day surrounded by scenic alpine scenery and lush greenery.
Weathered roof tiles with moss and weeds, showcasing historic garden architecture and stonework preservation.
A picturesque mountain village with traditional alpine houses, cobbled streets, and stunning views of rugged mountain peaks in the background, representing classic alpine architecture and scenic landscapes.
Alpine Garden Society logo on a website header showcasing mountain plants and alpine horticulture focus.
Alpine Garden Society logo displayed on a website header or banner with ornamental plants and garden tools.
Charming alpine village street with historic architecture and mountain backdrop, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts exploring botanical beauty in mountain regions.

Restaurant

As evening started to fall, we made our way down the alley towards the restaurant we had booked, the Casa Cayo, where we had an excellent meal on a table overlooking the river.  The only possible difficulty was that we didn’t realise the starters were sharing plates and, without the intervention of the waitress, we would have ordered rather more than we could comfortably eat. The setting sun just lit up the tops of the mountains.

Colourful street market scene with local vendors, outdoor cafes, and pedestrians beneath historic buildings in a European city, highlighting community and vibrant urban life.
Old cobbled street in a mountain town with shops, cafes and outdoor seating, showing a charming narrow alleyway with vibrant signage and people enjoying a day out, during daytime.
Charming street view with traditional European buildings, outdoor seating, and boutique shops, capturing the ambience of a historic city centre in Spain or Italy.
El Rincón de Nino bar restaurant building overlooking a river in a mountain village with lush greenery and scenic landscape.
Alpine garden society mountain landscape, rugged peaks, scenic outdoor nature, hiking, rock formations, high-altitude flora, outdoor adventure, mountain scenery, alpine environment.
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