Skip to main content

Where have all the bluebells gone? Forest floor which should be carpeted with flowers is still bare thanks to record cold spell

Britain looked blooming marvellous as the sun came out to play today.
At last, flower growers got some joy as the UK's only hyacinths bulb fields burst into bloom in Cambridgeshire one month later than usual.
In the Vale of Evesham, in the Cotswolds, asparagus growers finally started getting ready for the British Asparagus Festival on St George’s Day.
They say the unseasonal cold spell up to now has reduced the current asparagus crop to only 10 per cent of normal for this time of year.
Scroll down for video
Too soon: There's no bluebells yet at Dockey Wood, near Ashridge, Hertfordshire, this spring
Too soon: There's no bluebells yet at Dockey Wood, near Ashridge, Hertfordshire, this spring

In bloom: But in previous years Dockey Wood has been covered in a blue blanket
In bloom: But in previous years Dockey Wood has been covered in a blue blanket
All smiles: Jake Pickersgill, three, and Hana Hadfield, three, from Blackpool, enjoy a day out in Stanley Park
All smiles: Jake Pickersgill, three, and Hana Hadfield, three, from Blackpool, enjoy a day out in Stanley Park
Jake and Hana playing in the sun in Stanley Park, Blackpool
Jake and Hana playing in the sun in Stanley Park, Blackpool
Aaah: Jake and Hana playing in the sun in Stanley Park, Blackpool, Lancashire
English literature student Alice Heidemann enjoys some sun at last on the beach in Aberdeen today with the north east experiencing temperatures around 15C
English literature student Alice Heidemann enjoys some sun at last on the beach in Aberdeen today with the north east experiencing temperatures around 15C
English literature student Alice Heidemann enjoys some sun at last on the beach in Aberdeen today with the north east experiencing temperatures around 15C
The Festival at Bretforton, near Evesham, on April 23 sees a day of celebration of the crop and the start of the eight week season.
In the Cambridgeshire countryside, the world's largest collection of rare hyacinths is putting on a stunning display of colour in a fragrance-filled two-acre field after Spring finally sprung.
Grandfather Alan Shipp, 75, has been custodian of the UK's National Collection of Hyacinths since 1989 and now has more than 150,000 flowering bulbs.
 

More...

  • Muffled bells, Nimrod and I Vow To Thee My Country... How Maggie is saying goodbye
  • 'It's our worst nightmare': Zookeeper's devastation after 'dozens' reptiles and otters die in fierce fire in tropical animal house
'The hyacinths are a good four weeks later than usual due to the cold weather, but there has been no damage to the flowers,' said Mr Shipp.
'It's the next three months which are important now as the weather will affect the size of the bulbs.
'We need plenty of sun to put energy into the bulbs, but we don't want it to be too hot as it shortens the growing season.'
In the Cambridgeshire countryside, the world's largest collection of rare hyacinths is putting on a stunning display of colour. Pictured with them is eight-year-old Rosie Rickards
In the Cambridgeshire countryside, the world's largest collection of rare hyacinths is putting on a stunning display of colour. Pictured with them is eight-year-old Rosie Rickards
Alan Shipp in his field of hyacinths, which are finally beginning to burst into flower
Alan Shipp in his field of hyacinths, which are finally beginning to burst into flower
Fun on the beach today despite slightly chilly temperatures at Southsea, Hampshire
Fun on the beach today despite slightly chilly temperatures at Southsea, Hampshire
Forecasters say Thetford in Norfolk is expected to be the hottest spot in the UK today reaching an almost summery 16C.
Shrewsbury and Skipton will reach 15C and 14C while Lerwick on the Shetland Islands will be the UK's coolest place reaching just 5C.
With the weather staying warm, London could reach 17C on Wednesday.

Spring has sprung: A youngster enjoying the sunshine at Hadleigh Castle in Essex
Spring has sprung: A youngster enjoying the sunshine at Hadleigh Castle in Essex
Six-year-old Elise Armstrong played on the beach in West Wittering, West Sussex as Britain bathed in sunshine for what felt like the first time this year
Six-year-old Elise Armstrong played on the beach in West Wittering, West Sussex as Britain bathed in sunshine for what felt like the first time this year


While temperatures weren't exactly Mediterranean, after a seemingly endless winter yesterday’s warm weather was a good start.
As predicted, it was the hottest day of the year so far with the thermometer peaking at 22C (72F) in Gravesend and Manston in Kent.
It is hoped the widespread temperature increase will jolt Mother Nature out of her unusually long hibernation.
Bluebells and some daffodils, which normally brighten the countryside and gardens with displays of colour, have yet to flower, while parks await the glorious burst of cherry blossom.
As for the bird population, there are fears that a lack of insects may have had terrible consequences for the tens of thousands of migrating birds that usually reach Britain by the start of April.
Some birds may have delayed their journey north, but ornithologists fear thousands of birds that rely on insects for food may have arrived and died.
Finally: Members of the public soak up the sun on the beach in Brighton, Sussex
Finally: Members of the public soak up the sun on the beach in Brighton, Sussex
Picnic: Londoners were finally afforded some warm spring weather in 2013
Picnic: Londoners were finally afforded some warm spring weather in 2013
Al fresco: Londoners enjoy a drink on the street in scenes unimaginable just weeks ago
Al fresco: Londoners enjoy a drink on the street in scenes unimaginable just weeks ago
Weather cycle: Many people in the capital took the opportunity to go for a ride on 'Boris Bikes'
Weather cycle: Many people in the capital took the opportunity to go for a ride on 'Boris Bikes'
Weather cycle: Many people in the capital took the opportunity to go for a ride on 'Boris Bikes'
Daffodils in London's Hyde Park were in full bloom yesterday as runners and cyclists made the most of the weather
Daffodils in London's Hyde Park were in full bloom yesterday as runners and cyclists made the most of the weather
Two-year-old Noah Seymour fed the swans in Hyde Park yesterday with a little help from his father
Two-year-old Noah Seymour fed the swans in Hyde Park yesterday with a little help from his father
Student Jenni Parcell relaxes by a cherry blossom next to the River Cam
Student Jenni Parcell relaxes by a cherry blossom next to the River Cam
Families enjoyed punting on the River Cam after weeks of freezing temperatures
Families enjoyed punting on the River Cam after weeks of freezing temperatures
The warm weather was perfect for punting on the Cam in Cambridge
The warm weather was perfect for punting on the Cam in Cambridge

 VIDEO  Sun seekers lapped up the rays in London's Hyde Park 

Forecast
The National Trust was expecting the ‘main pulse’ of migrating birds – including swallows and house martins – to arrive over the weekend with the help of strong southerly winds.
But Grahame Madge of the RSPB said: ‘We’re actually not sure where they all are. Possibly many have already arrived and perished or they may be hanging around waiting for the right conditions.’
He added: ‘When they arrive they are exhausted. They have probably lost half their body weight and are right on the edge of survival.
‘If they arrive and there are no insects to feed on they are in big trouble. We could be looking at a bleak picture.’
Bluebells are one wonder of the British countryside that have yet to appear.
It is thought peak flowering could be delayed until mid-May this year. There are also fears that many daffodils may not flower at all.
Rollerskating lessons in Hyde Park for Isla and Tana Keith, aged seven and six, Ruby Newell, seven, Anya Oldfield-Box, eight, Eva Younger, six, and seven-year-old Livia Welsh
Rollerskating lessons in Hyde Park for Isla and Tana Keith, aged seven and six, Ruby Newell, seven, Anya Oldfield-Box, eight, Eva Younger, six, and seven-year-old Livia Welsh
The deckchairs were out in Hyde Park, though this man clearly wasn't sure whether to risk coming out without his woolly hat
The deckchairs were out in Hyde Park, though this man clearly wasn't sure whether to risk coming out without his woolly hat
Kassia, six, and Lila, four, played on the beach in West Wittering as the UK enjoyed 'shorts weather'
Kassia, six, and Lila, four, played on the beach in West Wittering as the UK enjoyed 'shorts weather'
The beginning of Spring saw the peacocks at Kew Gardens presenting themselves by fanning out their tails
The beginning of Spring saw the peacocks at Kew Gardens presenting themselves by fanning out their tails
Tom Price, curator of Oxford University’s Botanic Garden, said: ‘It’s possible the bulbs have been damaged by the prolonged wet, and then very cold weather. Some of them could have rotted or died off in the soil.’
However, experts suggest the late spring could be a sign of an increasingly rare hot summer.
Matthew Oates, a naturalist for the National Trust, said: ‘There is a really good link between late springs and very good summers, and we are due, overdue, a very good summer.’
A Met Office spokesman said: ‘Temperatures will drop a bit tomorrow but it will stay generally mild.’

Visitors made their way to Kew Gardens to enjoy the rare glimpse of sun
Visitors made their way to Kew Gardens to enjoy the rare glimpse of sun
Two friends paddled on the pebble beach at Brighton
Two friends paddled on the pebble beach at Brighton

Spectators lined the promenade to cheer on runners in the Brighton Marathon today
Spectators lined the promenade to cheer on runners in the Brighton Marathon today
Brighton beach filled up as people cooled off from the unexpectedly warm weather
Brighton beach filled up as people cooled off from the unexpectedly warm weather

The sunglasses were out in force as Brightonians soaked up the sun
The sunglasses were out in force as Brightonians soaked up the sun
Two-year-old Finley Myler cooled down in a water fountain in Windsor
Two-year-old Finley Myler cooled down in a water fountain in Windsor
Meanwhile the A708 road in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, has been closed after a large section of it collapsed into a stream.
Police said the A708 Moffat to Selkirk Road near Grey Mare's Tail was likely to be shut for some time.
The collapse is thought to have been the result of subsidence caused by heavy rain and melting snow.
Cracked: The road in Dumfries and Galloway which has been closed after collapsing into a stream
Cracked: The road in Dumfries and Galloway which has been closed after collapsing into a stream
Ruined: Police said the road near Grey Mare's Tail was likely to be shut for some time
Ruined: Police said the road near Grey Mare's Tail was likely to be shut for some time

Closed off: The collapse is thought to have been caused by subsidence caused by heavy rain and melting snow
Closed off: The collapse is thought to have been caused by subsidence caused by heavy rain and melting snow
A couple watched the sea at Lyme Regis in Dorset crashing into the harbour wall, better known as the Cobb
A couple watched the sea at Lyme Regis in Dorset crashing into the harbour wall, better known as the Cobb


In Porthleven, Cornwall, some people collected cuttlefish shells on the beach after heavy storms hit the county last night
In Porthleven, Cornwall, some people collected cuttlefish shells on the beach after heavy storms hit the county last night
Hundreds of cuttlefish shells washed up on the beach at Porthleven in the storm last night and will be sold for £1.80 each
Hundreds of cuttlefish shells washed up on the beach at Porthleven in the storm last night and will be sold for £1.80 each
Not everywhere enjoyed the weather: This marquee tent was blown away before the start of the Rock and Roll marathon at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh
Not everywhere enjoyed the weather: This marquee tent was blown away before the start of the Rock and Roll marathon at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh
Man v wind: marathon staff recovered the marquee after its brief flight
Man v wind: marathon staff recovered the marquee after its brief flight

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o