Bluebells

The bluebell is often called ‘the unofficial national flower’ and is one of the most telling signs that spring is in full swing. When in bloom, entire woodland floors are covered in stunning displays of purples and blues with millions of bulbs existing in one woodland.

Over half of the world’s bluebells are found in the UK and they are often a sign that you are walking amongst an ancient woodland. Bluebell carpets are an important habitat for pollinators but are fragile to trampling. These colonies can take a long time to establish, typically between five to seven years from seed to flower.

Bluebell carpets can be seen over the space of a few weeks in early spring, typically from mid-April onwards.  

Wild Garlic

Like the bluebell, wild garlic also creates a carpet across the woodland floor, this time blue is swapped for white. When in bloom, white clusters of star-like flowers crown straight green stems with long oval shaped leaves at the bottom. However, the easiest way to identify wild garlic is with your nose. In the spring breeze, downwind from a wild garlic meadow, the smell of garlic will be as strong and fresh as when crushing a garlic clove in your kitchen. Flowering from April to May, this flower makes the most of its early emergence, capturing sunlight without competition from other plants and making the most of the sunlight reaching the woodland floor before the leaves create a full canopy.

Wood Anemone

The wood anemone is lesser known than bluebell and wild garlic, However, they are no less magnificent in bloom. Flowering between March and May, the wood anemone grows in smaller numbers and is often found in shaded woodland areas. It has six to seven white or purple-streaked ‘petals’ (which are actually sepals) on top of a red stem. Its seeds are largely infertile, instead the slow growth of its roots help the flower spread. 

All woodland wildflowers are vulnerable to trampling and can take years to recover. When on the lookout for them, please mind where you step and stick to the footpaths.