Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) and 3 cryptogamic epiphytes were collected from and transplanted to 10 various locations in Denmark. The spatial and temporal variation in Pb and Cd concentrations of yarrow leaves and the cryptogams were determined. The physical structure of the plant parts, the mobility differences between the metals and the atmospheric fallout of metals at the growing site were believed to be important for the metal uptake. It was concluded, that yarrow leaves give a measure of the relative variation in deposition rates to surface of higher plants when collected at the end of a growth season, and that the geographic variation was revealed with similar accuracy by yarrow and the cryptogams.