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Charity plans to prevent local flower extinction

Grow Guernsey A close-up of a dwarf pansy, featuring a small purple flower on top of a leafy base. There are other plants in the backgroundGrow Guernsey
Without help, the dwarf pansy "could well become extinct", Grow Guernsey says

A Guernsey charity is seeking help from local gardeners to become "custodians" of a local flower to protect its survival.

Grow Guernsey said it was working with La Société Guernesiase's botany section to help preserve the dwarf pansy (viola kitaibeliana), with 40 plants and botanical information, planting, and care guidelines, being prepared to be taken in by local homes.

First documented in 1871, dwarf pansies used to grow on Guernsey’s west coast and Lihou Island, but now Pleinmont Bay is the only place in the British Isles where the flower grows natively.

Helen Litchfield, co-secretary of La Société Guernesiase Botany Section, explained: "I cannot stress enough the importance of this initiative without it the species could well become extinct."

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