After the early sunshine in April and the uncommonly high rainfall in May, the Isle of Wight is ablaze with the best blooms for many years on a mass of unusual summer flowers.  Some of these are extremely rare – or new introductions to the UK from the southern hemisphere.  Now flower children of all ages can hunt these down and get the scent of summer with the help of Wightlink’s Rare Plant Trail, an illustrated pack that comes complete with a map - available free by calling 0870 582 7744 or clicking here.

WHERE TO SEE THEM

Many little known southern hemisphere plants – such as the eye-catching bright red Callistemon, commonly known as the Bottlebrush, and the striking Grevillia, both from Australia - can now be seen in full bloom alongside Mediterranean varieties at Ventnor Botanic Garden, which has created the UK’s largest outdoor collection of these species.  Gardeners at Ventnor say that last year’s hot dry summer created the perfect conditions for this year’s growth by hardening off the wood on plants and this means that the plants featured in the Rare Plant Trail’s ‘Some Like It Hot’ supplement are thriving in the UK – one positive consequence of climate change.

Besides the plants featured in Some Like It Hot, the summer plant trail features eight contrasting rare plants – from 20 featured in the year-round Wightlink pack. Using the trail as the basis for a fresh air short break, visitors can see varied scenery from the east to the west of the Isle of Wight. Located in garden collections and natural locations stretching from the east coast near Brading, down to the far south around sub-tropical Ventnor and the wild ‘dinosaur isle’ landscape of St. Catherine’s Point, and across to the organic garden at Afton Park in West Wight, the plants are set in extensive Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Get there by taking one of the great special offers available in June on Wightlink ferry travel to the Isle of Wight using the operator’s Portsmouth-Fishbourne and Lymington-Yarmouth routes: a day return ticket covering a car and four passengers costs just £32.50 Tuesday-Thursday (£35 at weekends) whilst a five day short break costs £55 for a car plus four people*.  Alternatively take one of Wightlink’s Green Getaways short breaks to the Isle of Wight and stay in gold award winning eco-friendly accommodation. Prices start from £66pp for two night breaks including car ferry travel (based on two sharing).

ENDS

*  Terms and conditions apply for these special offers.

Issued on behalf of: WIGHTLINK LTD                                                                 

By: Christine Ball PR    Tel: 01798 874177

15th June 2007