The Snowdrops seemed to have had a longer season this year, as have the Blackthorne Blossom. Frost triggers the Blackthorne into bloom, an early frost followed by a mild spell got an early bloom over a month ago, then the more recent frosty mornings seem to have triggered off another wave of Blackthorns coming into bloom. Looks particularly striking in hedges planting alternate Blackthorne and Hawthorne as the Hawthorne is coming into leaf alongside the white sloe flowers.
Two weeks ago we walked a wood for the first time in a number of years and I was surprised at the spread of Wood Anemone, sadly it was an overcast day and the flowers were closed, tomorrow we cross the Welsh Border, there is a natural bank of Cowslips that has survived I hope to find in bloom. So many are replants nowadays, these remind me of a shaded bank I knew of in my childhood on a canal embankment. The hardier Primrose will welcome us on the hedgerows of the secret parking place that gives entry to a resentful shooting estate (£45/per bird) split by some well placed righteous way. These icons of early spring are not too far off the legal way, though when the Marsh Marigolds come out there, the need to stray may be greater.