Spring is Sprung!

Spring is Sprung!

Blackthorn blossom

This is the time of year when my fingers start to twitch for the wild flower identification book I have on my shelves. No matter how well I get to know the flowers that I see in our neighbourhood, I always find that at this time, I've forgotten the name and need to refresh my memory.

Near to my home when I walk our dog are twittens. A twitten, for the uninitiated, is a small footpath or alleyway which leads you through from one road to another. Some have been used for many, many years. The one near to me follows on from an old footpath leading to the village near to our town. The 20 year housing development that we live within is built around this path. They act as short cuts. What is particularly good about them is the variety of plants that seem to grow in such a small area, (relatively speaking) and what a joy they are to walk through.

Cow Parsley

At this time of year, normally from about mid April until the end of May, the walker is treated to the white Blackthorn flowers, arriving before the leaves; the Lesser Periwinkle, its purple flowers creeping around at ground level, looking very star-like; wild Forget-me-nots can also be seen, with their pale blue flowers; also stands of lilac and white Honesty, which this year have been particularly good. Finally, there are the Hawthorns, their leaves just breaking out in readiness for their amazing white or pink blossom.

Then there are the plants whose flowers aren't quire so striking but whose structures make a statement, nonetheless –  the Alexanders and Common Cleavers ; the Nettles, which are at present around knee height, their vibrant green hues looking non-threatening – until you touch them; and the feathery leaves of the Cow Parsley which are just about to shoot up their long flower stems with the most fantastic white umbels.

All too soon, as these wild plants continue to grow, especially the Nettles which seem to overtake everything else; this twitten will become strangled for space, with alternative walking routes needing to be found as the path becomes blocked. That is, until the local authorities deem it the right time to cut all these plants right back. Then until the autumn, with the flood of different berries from the bushes, we have to wait until the twitten once more impresses.