Although there is still snow on the ground, the signs of spring are all around with buds and shoots appearing. Spring brings a welcome gift of colour, transforming our surroundings suddenly and swiftly until you can no longer remember the monotonous winter landscape we jokingly call the ‘brown and sticky’ season.

Of all wild-flowers, many of those that appear in early spring rank among my favourites. They seem so unlikely in the midst of such harsh weather, but are immensely powerful and resilient.

Mostly small and delicate, their presence is fleeting as it is imperative for them to grow, flower, and set-seed before the canopy of leaves may shut out the light or larger plants overtake them.

Aconites, which came up in early December this year.

Among the earliest are the Aconites, Snowdrops and Lent-lillies (wild daffodil). Followed by Barren Strawberry, Coltsfoot and Celandine. The humble daisy (‘day’s-eye’) flowers all year round but a carpet of them in early spring is still a joyous sight.

By the beginning of March, primroses, violets, and Wood-Anenomes can be seen as well as Golden- Saxifrage and Speedwell that grow in short grass.

Under the trees, you can find elegant Wood Saxifrage and delicate Wood Sorrel (the petals of which always remind me of old men’s pyjamas, and the lemony leaves of which are delicious). These are more likely to appear in April and into May when bluebells grace the woods and Lady’s Smock flower in fields and pastures.

Excerpt from ‘A Celebration fo Nature’, showing many of my favourite spring flowers - speedwell, violet, celandine, primrose, golden saxifrage, daisy and wood anenome.