WILDFLOWERS are blooming in abundance throughout the Wee County at the moment with their varied colour and form adorning our field and woodland edges, as well as the open slopes and undulations of the Ochils.

And the more you look, the more you see. A small area of ground which at first glance might seem to hold one or two flowers will often reveal many more on closer inspection.

A real stunner is germander speedwell, which is common throughout much of Clackmannanshire by hedgerows, roadsides, pastures and path edges.

The exquisite blue flower petals are gently inscribed with small lines radiating from the pale centre.

Where there are speedwells, there is every chance that bush vetch and tufted vetch will be nearby.

Members of the pea family, the stems have gripping tendrils which enable them to gain purchase on surrounding grasses, enabling the flowers to poke clear of the emergent vegetation.

Down by the Rivers Devon and Black Devon, look out for water forget-me-not. It has amazing azure flowers with a yellow centre.

Monkey-flower is another plant worth seeking – an introduced species from North America, their bright yellow blooms are currently brightening shingle banks on the River Devon.

By the edge of watery ditches ragged robin is often found. The plant is well named for their pink flowers do indeed appear frayed and unkempt.

And then there are the orchids. Clackmannanshire is home to a few types – common spotted orchids occur locally but my favourite is the northern marsh orchid, which displays the most stunning deep-purple flower spikes.

If you know where to look, they can be found on damp grassland. There is surely no more attractive flower than this, and each summer I purposefully seek them out.

@BroomfieldKeith