One thing it does in England in April, it snows. It snowed over Easter at the end of March and again on the day we left in April. So that is one thing to keep in mind, while the grass is green and the fruit trees were in blossom, they were covered in snow.
The Naturist from 1817 has this to say about April.
Many and lovely are the flowers which are showered, in profusion, from
the lap of April which adorn our fields, at this time:Among them are the checquered daffodil (fritillaria meleagris); the primrose; the cowslip (primula veris); the cuckoo flower (cardamine pratrensis); and the hare-bell
(hyacinthus non scriptus). The yellow star of Bethlehem (ornithogatum
luteum) in woods; the vernal squill (scilla verna) among maritime
rocks; and the wood sorrel (oxalis acetosella), are now in full flower.
I certainly saw primroses on all the banks. They are a protected flower. I also saw cowslips and daffodils aplenty.
Indeed the first picture through the window, is of daffodils in the snow. And the second a bank on the roadside covered in primroses. I realize as I type this, that both of these flowers are yellow.
So to complete the picture for April, I will show you a cowslip. Now it is an odd name for a wild flower, but it is a pretty flower and a countrified name. Perhaps more importantly are its herbal qualities. It is used medicinally as a diuretic, an expectorant, and an antispasmodic, as well as for the treatment of headaches, whooping cough, tremors, and other conditions. However it can have irritant effects in people who are allergic to it. It was also made into wine.
Willow trees start to show their green leaves, as do birch trees at the beginning of the month. The larger trees come into leaf by the end of April when wild violets also appear.
And that is it for this week, except to show you what Toronto looked like when we left for England. Teaser was not impressed when he tried to go for a walk.Until next time, when I will be sharing some of the sights I visited on this last trip, Happy Rambles.
It snows in Maine in April too.
ReplyDeleteNever knew cowslip was made into a wine. Any excuse to drink...
Jennifer
Hi Michele,
ReplyDeleteIs the April snow historically noted? I ask because I lived in England for a few years and the only time I remember it snowing in April is this year, which has been a year of somewhat freakish weather. The weather the year before around April was pretty dull too, but this, from my limited experience, may be a recent trend. Global warming and such.
Previously, in my experience, April weather had been quite fair and pleasant. You could usually tell the change in the season as early as March, because the days are longer and the air is warmer and there is something that just lets you know, deep in your bones, that Spring Is Here! :)
Variations in weather may have something to do with which part of the country you are - the weather can vary quite a bit from place to place. I lived in Nottingham. Nestled smack in the Midlands, it generally enjoys very mild weather, gets less rain and wind than the rest of the country that I know of. But it's colder than the south.
Did you get any pictures of daffodils, by the way? The two things that most clearly associate with spring are, for me, daffodils and cherry blossoms. They bloom at slightly different times though and don't last for very long, but while they do - oh my!
Anyways, I'll stop monopolising your comments now and thank you for sharing your experiences on the trip. I really enjoy reading your blog.
Dawn
Just saw the daffodils. *smacks head* Silly me! Lovely pictures, great info and thanks again for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDawn, Spring certainly starts in March and snow is a surprise, but not an unheard of event over the years. It certainly doesn't happen often, but I can recall it growing up. Happily, it doesn't last long! We saw lots of daffodils growing wild everywhere we went. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Michele