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Parks & public space

Volunteers plant rare tower mustard on Barnes Common

1 min read
Tom Ashworth
5 November 2026

More than 1,000 plants raised from seed at home have gone into the ground at four sites, Barnes Common among them. Before the project the plant was down to two sites in London.

Planting is the easy part. The test comes next summer: do the plants flower and set seed?

Barnes Common now has tower mustard, one of London's rarest native plants, put there by volunteers who raised it from seed at home.

Richmond Council announced on 2 November that more than 1,000 plants have been planted out across Barnes Common, Wimbledon Common, Hounslow Heath and Lesnes Abbey Woods, calling it "a successful first year for a major community-led effort". Its announcement gives a combined total rather than a Barnes figure. The project is led by Citizen Zoo, Habitats and Heritage and Barnes Conservation.

Planting is the easy part. The test comes next summer, when it will be clear whether the plants flower and set seed. The question for Barnes is where on the Common they are, and whether walkers will be asked to give them room.

The facts
  • Richmond Council announced on 2 November 2026 that more than 1,000 tower mustard plants were grown and planted by volunteers.
  • Sites: Barnes Common, Wimbledon Common, Hounslow Heath and Lesnes Abbey Woods; the total is combined, not Barnes alone.
  • Plants were grown from seed at home by volunteers.
  • Tower mustard is thought to survive at around 30 sites in England and, before the project, only two in London.
  • Rated Near Threatened (GB Red List) and Endangered (England).
  • Led by Citizen Zoo, Habitats and Heritage and Barnes Conservation; feasibility study by Dr Mark Spencer and Paul Losse for Richmond Council.
  • Funded by the Mayor of London's Green Roots Fund and Thames Water; aim is five suitable sites across Greater London.
Sources and evidence

Every factual claim in this story is linked to the evidence behind it. Where the newsroom has added judgement or framing, it is listed separately. Sources accessed 5 November 2026.

  1. Richmond Council: Rare tower mustard takes root on Barnes Common (council)
  2. Barnes Common Ltd: Saving London's Rare Tower Mustard with Volunteers (community)
  3. Richmond Council: community effort rare plant (February 2026) (council)
Claim by claim (8 facts, 4 editorial judgements)
  • Richmond Council announced on 2 November 2026 that more than 1,000 tower mustard plants were grown and planted out by volunteers. — council, 2026-11-02
    “More than 1,000 tower mustard plants have been successfully grown and planted out by volunteers.”
  • The plants are at Barnes Common, Wimbledon Common, Hounslow Heath and Lesnes Abbey Woods, and the council called it 'a successful first year for a major community-led effort'. — council, 2026-11-02
    “a successful first year for a major community-led effort”
  • Volunteers grew the plants from seed at home. — council, 2026-11-02
    “by growing plants from seed at home to help re-establish the species.”
  • Tower mustard is thought to survive at around 30 sites in England and, before the project, at only two in London; rated Near Threatened in GB and Endangered in England. — council, 2026-11-02
    “It is thought to survive at around 30 sites across England and, before the project began, at only two sites in London.”
  • Dr Mark Spencer and Paul Losse were commissioned by Richmond Council for the feasibility study and still advise on growing, planting and aftercare. — council, 2026-11-02
    “Botanist Dr Mark Spencer and Paul Losse were commissioned by Richmond Council to carry out the initial feasibility study”
  • The council says it helped protect the donor population at Stain Hill Reservoir. — council, 2026-11-02
    “helping to protect the donor population at Stain Hill Reservoir”
  • The project is led by Citizen Zoo, Habitats and Heritage and Barnes Conservation. — council, 2026-11-02
  • The Barnes Common page says the plant grows to about a metre with white flowers, seed-growing began March 2026, planting days in autumn 2026, aim of five sites across Greater London, funded by Green Roots Fund and Thames Water, with named partners. — community
  • Judgement: The planted patches' establishment is unproven; the real test is flowering and seeding next summer.
  • Judgement: It is good news for the Common that people who live nearby are doing the work.
  • Judgement: Planting is the easy part; the test comes next summer, when it will be clear whether the plants flower and set seed.
  • Judgement: The open question is where on the Common the plants are and whether walkers will be asked to give them room.