Grazing helps prevent scrub from taking over the chalk grassland areas, and also reduces the dominant grasses. This allows an increase in the wildflower and herbage layer to occur, leading to greater diversity of plant species.
Spring blooms
Thanks to careful management, Stockbridge Down hosts an absolute spectacle of wild flowers during the spring and summer months. Blackthorn and hawthorn produce clusters of pretty white blossom in spring. The grassy slopes change colour as different plant species emerge: yellow with birds foot trefoil, horseshoe vetch and kidney vetch; purple with knapweed, wild thyme, and scabious; pastel blues and pinks with milkwort.
Rarities like round headed rampion and orchids pop up sporadically. Later in the year, the heady scent of marjoram is thick on the air as these deep purple flowers burst into bloom.
Wildflowers are vital as a nectar source for insects and as a larval foodplant for butterfly and moth caterpillars. Stockbridge Down is home to many varieties of butterfly, including duke of burgundy butterfly whose larvae require cowslips or primroses; pearl bordered fritillary which requires violets; grizzled skipper which feeds on agrimony and wild strawberry; and silver spotted skipper whose larvae feed off the sheep’s fescue grass.