The remnants of hedgerows are vital for pollinators in an expanse of arable monoculture. 

 

 Spring come early will probably be a theme of this diary in the weeks ahead. Today was more like summer come early with temperatures in the mid twenties.

 I saw Bluebells in the hedgerows at the weekend; I would expect Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) to be out late April/early May. Having said that the ones I saw looked more like the hybrid 'Garden Bluebell' (H. x massartiana) which is a cross of H. non-scripta and the Spanish Bluebell (H. hispanica). Our native Bluebell has arching stems with downward nodding bells. These are taller, more upright with bells facing stiffly out and up. Garden and Spanish Bluebells flower earlier.

 It is supposed that hispanica genes can cross pollinate with wild Bluebells and perhaps that has happened here? I will have to walk further out to several ancient Bluebell woods in the next few days because they are definitely non-scripta.

 

 A couple more flowers of the purest white in my back garden: Narcissus 'Thalia' and Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa). I would like to say I have carpets of them but in both cases the conditions don't seem to suit. Only a few of the original plantings have stood the test of time, nonetheless they come back year after year. 

 

 A white theme among the green shades in my back garden at the moment, though I didn't plant with that in mind. Above is Three-Cornered Leek (Allium triquetrum).

Intermediate Periwinkle (Vinca difformis)

Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum)

White Comfrey (Symphytum orientale)

Honesty (Lunaria annua var. albiflora)

 

 Once upon a time my back garden in London was a particular theme of this diary. Life changes and other topics have come to the fore but it's still there and will continue to feature from time to time. 

 

Starting to see plenty of "weeds" and bees now that spring is well underway.

Postscript 4/04/26 Interesting article in today's Guardian noting that various indicators suggest this is our earliest spring on record (nesting birds, frogspawn, emergence of caterpillars and butterflies etc.) We have had several early springs in recent years so if this year is the earliest that is early indeed.

 

Into the distance.