Although the gardens and hedgerows can look a little drab at this time of the year, there are still lots of plants that are emerging. These early arrivals are a sign that spring is not far away and also provide food to many animals at a time when it is scarce.
Wrap up warm in an irish sweater men and women can wear like this https://www.shamrockgift.com/aran-sweaters/mens-aran-sweaters/ and head out to the countryside to see if you can notice any of these plants…
Snowdrops – Seen by most of us as the first sign of spring, snowdrops start to appear all over the countryside in January and into February. There are lots of places that you can go and see them too, from the Lake District to Gloucestershire.
Wood Anemones – These beautiful and delicate looking little white flowers start to arrive in February and are an indicator of ancient woodland. Go and look for them on a dry day, as they close up when it is raining!
Hazel Catkins – Another early sign that spring is coming, the hazel catkins (known also as lambs tails) can be seen throughout February. The catkins come from the male part of the plant, with the female producing tiny red flowers that are not as visible.
Goat Willow – This is a tree that provides food for all types of creatures for most of the year. The caterpillars enjoy it in the spring and summer, but at this time of the year the first insects will start to come out of hibernation, including some species of bees, and it provides a much needed food source.
