Bluebells

I've been watching, waiting, tracking the bluebells as they grow in my forest. You've seen photos all winter of the beautiful forest floor covered with russet beech leaves, then as a hint of spring began, the russet floor turned green with little bluebell plants...promising a wonderful surprise. I had no idea when this would occur, some said May, some said April... But, I guess that all depends on the weather. Well, it's here!! And it is amazing!! I walk for a good 5 minutes through a deep carpet of bluebells, under a wonderful canopy of new green. Even Flan stays to the narrow path through these flowers. She seems to know they are delicate and she has to be careful.

I've also been tracking the wild garlic from bulb, to leaf, and now to full plant with flowers just beginning to open. The entire plant is edible and I'll have to try my hand at wild garlic soup.

Another plant that I've been watching isn't quite so harmless. It's called Lords and Ladies and is highly poisonous. I won't be trying that one, but it is very interesting.

Photos: Bluebells, white garlic flower, Lords and Ladies with bracken fern and ground ivy, first rhodys