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Spring at last !
The first sign of Spring in England is the appearance of snowdrops, however it is the bluebell that really confirms that winter is finally over. This year the bluebells in the woodlands of Wiltshire are the earlier and more numerous than we have ever seen. All the photographs here were taken within a mile or so of our base.
The Common Bluebell flowers in April and May. The stems are 10-30 cm long and bend at the top. The lavender-blue flowers are pendulous, tubular with the petals recurved only at the end. The individual flowers are borne on only one side of the flowering stem. The anthers are yellowish-white or cream and are attached inside the tube more than half-way along the tube. The flowers are pleasantly and usually strongly scented. Variations in colour occur, most usually pinkish or in a white variety. Pollination is by insects including bees and the black seeds fall to the ground close to the plant. Seeds may have a long period of survivability and can emerge after several years absence if suitable conditions recur.
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