Having avoided colds and flu all autumn and winter, as spring arrives and I manage to catch a head cold; I suspect the changeable weather hasn’t helped.
The weather yesterday was also mixed; a cold wind accompanied the sun which occasionally revealed itself from behind the clouds.
More colours are appearing in nature. Blue and purple joining the yellow and white; highlighted by the sun.
The early spring flowering Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) blooms are starting to fade now.
The Forget-me-not (Myosotis) is complimented by the vibrant Aubretia.
Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) and Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) grow in quieter shady areas of the garden. Green Alkanet is tolerated because it is loved by bees early in the season.
During late afternoon the sun came out for longer periods which lifted my spirits. I decided to go for a short walk to help clear my head.
On my journey I noticed the grass verges were full of the yellow and white of Daisies (Bellis perennis) and Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale). As I continued along the path my attention was directed towards the hedgerow. Amongst the ivy (Hedera helix) and Dandelions growing there were Wood Avens (Geum urbanum), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) and Common Field Speedwell (Veronica persica).
One delicate wild flower whose blooms shone through the greenery was that of the Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea).
Intriguingly other common names for this plant include Wedding Cakes, Star-of-Bethlehem, Daddy’s Shirt Buttons and Poor Man’s Buttonhole.
According to folklore, Stitchwort can cure stitch. I wonder what plant cures head colds?
Bee in the Moment 