Drosera

There are around 160 species of Drosera and these are found in large parts of the world from the edge of the Arctic Circle to places near the Antarctic. Nearly half of them are found in Australia and forms are also found in cooler regions of Europe. The European varieties have long been used for medicines. About 40 species are available for purchase and cultivation within the UK. Drosera are generally perennial but there are also annual and indeed shrubby varieties and even forms that climb. Some varieties have attractive flowers in a range of colours that may attract insect pollinators. The plants trap their prey with sticky traps that often have shiny 'dewdrops'. They are generally grown in a soil mix that includes peat and sand and their pots are placed in a shallow tray of soft water. Some plants have a period of dormancy and they are really only suitable for serious growers who will put in the necessary work to ensure their plants thrive.