The early rape fields have been in flower for some time now, a great splash of yellow with an almost overwhelming aroma. Photographically they are rather boring; but the neat intermediate hedge gives some interest to the featured image, looking over farmed fields towards nearby woodland.
Hawthorn hedges and trees are also in full flower (‘May blossom’), giving the opportunity for the following pleasing juxtaposition.
Anderton Country Park is now resplendent with one of the later spring delights, hawthorn blossom. While growing up I remember its being called ‘May blossom’ – this is also known as the May tree. Its appearance is the herald of the coming summer.
Some of the trees or bushes are almost overloaded with glorious white blossom.
An unfortunate accompaniment is the really heavy pungent scent, which is not good for the hay fever.
According to Wikipedia, “the young leaves and flower buds, which are also edible, are known as “bread and cheese” in rural England” – indeed I recall that this is precisely what my father called it.
The Hawthorn is also called the May Tree in the UK, hence the May Flowers in this nice blog piece. What a glorious flowering there is in the English countryside at this time of year! Nature does frequently remind us to stay aware of her beauty. Note that Americans may regard some other plant that […]
For the second time in a year, following Bread and Cheese in May, hawthorne trees and hedges have a spectacular effect on the Cheshire countryside. With the approaching onset of autumn, they are now covered in a profusion of innumerable red berries, haws.Read More »
Sometimes one species, at one particular time, appears to dominate an ecosystem. Yesterday in Macclesfield River Park it was the hawthorn trees and hedges in full ‘May’ blossom, white against the surrounding fresh green of spring, the air heavy with that pungent scent, the trill of birds hidden within.Read More »
I can't believe it! 