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Country diary: The bluebells are back and the ferns are rampant
St Dominic, Tamar Valley: As spring progresses, the luminous beech foliage and thick cherry blossom have gone, and I find a grass snake sunning itself
TL;DR
- Spring rains have boosted the growth of bluebells, ferns, and other greenery along narrow lanes and hedgerows.
- Beech foliage has lost its initial luminosity, and cherry, pear, and apple blossoms have finished, with only a sparse fruit set visible on some trees.
- Birdsong from blackcaps, chiffchaffs, and wrens fills the woodland garden.
- A grass snake was observed sunning itself beneath black plastic in the garden.
- Blueberry, blackcurrant, and gooseberry bushes are mulched, and cowslips, alpine strawberries, columbine, and alkanet thrive.
- Wisteria, red hawthorns, azaleas, and the judas tree are in bloom, while pastures for cattle and sheep await more rain.