Where have all the bluebells gone? The sun may have finally arrived but 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.
But in Ashridge, Hertfordshire, they're still waiting because the annual flowering of bluebells hasn't quite happened yet.
Usually, by mid-April the ground at Dockey Wood is blanketed in blue but the unseasonal cold spell - which has also reduced Evesham's asparagus crop to only 10 per cent of what it should be - has put paid to that.
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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.
'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.'
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.
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.
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.
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.
But in Ashridge, Hertfordshire, they're still waiting because the annual flowering of bluebells hasn't quite happened yet.
Usually, by mid-April the ground at Dockey Wood is blanketed in blue but the unseasonal cold spell - which has also reduced Evesham's asparagus crop to only 10 per cent of what it should be - has put paid to that.
Scroll down for video
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
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.
'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.'
Charlie the dog playing amongst daffodils on the Stray in Harrogate, North Yorkshire
All smiles: Jake Pickersgill, three, and Hana Hadfield, three, from Blackpool, enjoy a day out in Stanley Park
Aaah: Jake and Hana playing in the sun in Stanley Park, Blackpool, Lancashire
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.
English literature student Alice Heidemann
enjoys some sun at last on the beach in Aberdeen today with the north
east experiencing temperatures around 15C
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
Fun on the beach today despite slightly chilly temperatures at Southsea, Hampshire
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.
VIDEO Sun seekers lapped up the rays in London's Hyde Park
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.
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.’
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.’