I have already turned the calendar page to August. We had few really summer days in July although weather was quite changeable. Many bloggers are already talking about coming up change of season and I am still waiting for my summer holidays break… But definitely you can sense the change in the air and days are getting shorter. The wildflowers are still in great abundance and some will flower well into autumn. Was not going to say this word yet, but there you go!
Today in UK is May Bank Holiday and as I write this the sky is brightening up tempting me to abandon the keyboard and head outside. The spring is in full swing and we are even expecting a heatwave at the end of this week. Still there are lots of bare trees but flowers are really taking off which is very exciting. Some wildflowers have been flowering all year round like red dead nettle or green alkanet due to mild winter. Spring is the most exciting as beautiful bluebells start blooming. Personally I always wait for snake’s head fritillaries which are growing in the local woodland park, alongside bluebells. I have got few favourite spots where I always go and check on the wildflowers. There is always something new popping out…
To finish off, here is a sneak preview what is next coming into flower. Happy days!
February has proved that winter is not leaving just yet. At the same time all the spring flowers like daffodils, snowdrops, crocuses have continued to flower all over gardens and parks in London. As I have mentioned in some other post I try to take part in #wildflowerhour on Twitter every Sunday evening when people share the photos of wildflowers spotted all over UK during the last week. Here is the collection of the wildflowers seen during the whole month. The highlight is obviously a first bluebell spotted last week.
I have also visited the Royal Horticultural Society Botanical Art Show in London yesterday. So many talented painters and so many beautiful paintings. I have not taken many photos but bought this botanical illustrations of Roscoea humeana from Chelsea Physic Gardens plus some botanical postcards. The gardens are on my list to visit this spring/summer. There is also another botanical art show in London in April organised by Society of Botanical Artists which I am looking forward to.
It really felt like spring this morning with birds chirping in the garden and sun peeking through the curtains. We are back to double digits here in London but also to more rain and wind later during the week. All the usual spring flowers like daffodils, snowdrops, snowflakes and crocuses are all out. A couple of weeks ago the crocus buds were firmly shut but today they all opened in the full glory. I have also seen the bluebells leaves and wild arum lily leaves springing in the woodlands. 
The wildflowers are also enjoying the current warmth and today I have spotted the first violet of this year. I always look forward to seeing those little purple beauties. The violet scent is fleeting, it comes and goes thanks to ionone, a chemical substance which switches off the ability to smell the flower for moments at time. Here is a selection of wildflowers spotted during January.
I had two things on my mind today before I left the house that is to buy bread from the farmer’s market and check on the wildflowers still blooming in the mild December air. It was raining when I woke up but the weather app said it will stop around 11am and it did. Outside the rain droplets were hanging down from the trees like the best Christmas decorations. It felt fresh and warm.
I have checked on the snowdrops which have already produced the seed pods. I hope they will flower again in spring. There are lots of young shoots growing from the ground and still lots of green foliage but almost completely bare trees.
The weekend was a tale of two seasons. Saturday felt like the last day of summer with the sunshine, blue skies and very mild temperatures making it a perfect day for a walk by the river. This time I took the south bank of Thames and headed west towards Hammersmith. The river was busy with boats, kayaks, paddle boards; the walking path busy with runners, dogs, cyclists.
Sunday felt like a proper first day of autumn. I have gone out quite late and the fog was already rolling in around the river. I crossed the bridge to head towards the north bank and then walked through the woods first. Still lots of greenery mixed with the autumnal shades. By the time I got back to the river I welcomed a completely different world. The river disappeared in the dense fog making it a quite surreal place.
Beautywhizz 