By the middle of April the Hawthorn along the river was in full leaf with plenty of flower buds. Blue skies and warm weather meant that the May was flowering early this year, taking over from the Blackthorn.
May blossom under blue skies
and a damp corner crowded with violets on the river bank, attracting many insects such as small bees
Garlic Mustard in flower in warm shelter on the bank
Garlic Mustard close-up. The leaves have a garlic scent which
attracts the Orange Tip butterfly. Both the wild plant and
the butterfly have been flourishing extremely well this spring.
Wild Garlic flowering everywhere on shady river banks.
This is an entirely different plant and gives a strong garlic smell to
any area where it grows, looking more exotic than the unobtrusive
Garlic Mustard
In the centre, Wood Buttercup or Goldilocks Buttercup (Ranunculus auricomus)
mingling with Lesser Celandine
Contrasting with the damp areas, not far away - a patch of subsoil
exposed to the sun where an old oak was uprooted in a storm - is now thriving with plantain
and is very popular with all butterflies, including this Peacock.
A plant with hairy leaves and vivid blue flowers also thriving here
on the river bank -
Green Alkanet
No comments:
Post a Comment