White bells

12 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by sconzani in spring, wildflowers

Tags

Bluebells, British wildflowers, Casehill Woods, Native bluebell, Spring colour, spring wildflowers, White-flower Bluebell

Although I’ve seen Spanish Bluebells that are white and even shades of pink and lilac, this was the first time I’ve seen white native Bluebells. There was only one, amongst the thousands in this fabulous piece of ancient woodland, but it certainly stood out from the crowd.

210512 white bluebell

As the Bluebells are beginning to fade, especially after all the rain we’ve had in the past week, I thought I’d make a little video of some of my favourite Bluebell images. Enjoy!

Wild in the woodland

18 Sunday Apr 2021

Posted by sconzani in spring, trees, walks, wildflowers

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Bluebells, British wildflowers, Herb-Paris, Lesser Celandine, Moschatel, Opposite-leaved golden saxifrage, Spring colour, spring wildflowers, Wild garlic, Wood anemone, woodland wildflowers

I thought for this week’s Sunday wildflower post, I’d take you on a walk through parts of my local woodlands to show you some of the gorgeous plants a’blooming there at the moment. There are other wildflowers too, of course – Primroses, Violets, Dog’s-mercury, etc – but my video features Wild garlic, Opposite-leaved golden saxifrage, Wood anemone, Herb-paris, Lesser celandine, Moschatel and Bluebells.

Shades of pink and blue

04 Sunday Apr 2021

Posted by sconzani in nature

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Bluebells, British wildflowers, Cornsalad, Cuckooflower, Doves-foot cranes-bill, Ground ivy, Lords-and-ladies, Lungwort, Red dead-nettle, Spring colour

All of a sudden, the countryside has been splashed and daubed and sprinkled with these pretty shades of pink and blue.

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Bluebell (Hyacinthoides sp.), not the native species but still pretty

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Common Cornsalad (Valerianella locusta), also known as Lamb’s lettuce

210404 cuckooflower

Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis), which you might know as Milkmaids or Lady’s smock

210404 ground ivy

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), this little beauty has some wonderful vernacular names, including Gill-over-the-ground and Run-away Robin

210404 lords and ladies

Lords-and-ladies (Arum maculatum), another wildflower named for a bird: Cuckoopint

210404 lungwort

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis), also known as Our Lady’s milk and Mary’s tears

210404 red dead-nettle

Red dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), which seems to be under every hedge, along every woodland edge right now

210404 Round-leaved crane's-bill

Dove’s-foot crane’s-bill (Geranium molle), found growing around the base of a local power pole yesterday

Bluebell rust

05 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by sconzani in nature

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Tags

Bluebell rust, Bluebells, rust fungi, rust on Bluebells, rust on plants, Uromyces muscari

Now that the lush leaves of Bluebells are poking their fleshy heads above the soil, it’s time to check for Bluebell rust (Uromyces muscari), which can be found on native, cultivated and hybrid Bluebells.

210205 bluebell rust (2)

I’ve been looking during my recent local exercise walks but have found most of the locals are rust-less, except in one location, which is where I found these examples.

210205 bluebell rust (3)

This rust won’t affect the flowers, of course, and, as far as I’m aware, it doesn’t affect the health of the plant. In fact, most people won’t even notice it’s there but now you know about it, you might.

210205 bluebell rust (1)

91/366 The bells are ringing

31 Tuesday Mar 2020

Posted by sconzani in flowers, nature, spring, wildflowers

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

blue flowers, Bluebells, British wildflowers, spring flowers

The Bluebells are in bloom!

200331 bluebells (1)

Sadly, these are not native Bluebells but they were growing in a semi-wild location rather than in a park. As I passed along the edge of one local park yesterday, I noticed the Bluebells inside are also starting to open their gorgeous flowers but, as the park is currently closed, I can’t get in to enjoy them. Are the Bluebells out yet where you live?

200331 bluebells (2)