Extinct ‘mountain jewel’ plant returned to wild – in secret location

Finally, a few days ago, the moment came that was ten years in the making.

At a secret location in Eryri, a few people assembled in the rain, including ranger Rhys Weldon-Roberts. He will be keeping a watchful eye on the plant, wary of collectors.

“Hopefully the day comes when this is no longer rare and everyone who visits will be able to appreciate it,” he says.

For Robbie Blackhall-Miles, who will continue to monitor the saxifrage, this is a big moment.

After 60 years in cultivation, will it survive outside?

He carries crates of the plant from his car.

It’s transformed since I last saw it – long stems extending from the dense leaves, leading to a white flower with five petals.

“I love these flowers – they shine up at you,” Robbie says.

After stepping through a river, Robbie crouches down, and peels away springy grass and soil. Digging, he hits rock: “That’s OK – in Latin saxifrage means rock-breaker.”

A few minutes later, the small mountain jewels are back in their native soil.

Robbie is visibly emotional. It is the high point of his career to re-introduce something into his own country, in a landscape he loves.

“In Welsh, we have a wonderful word adferiad, which means restitution or restoration,” he continues. “I’m absolutely over the moon.”

Additional reporting by Gwyndaf Hughes