Shimmering carpet of bluebells rings in the spring at last
If the changeable weather has left you wondering whether Spring actually sprung this year, these glorious carpets of bluebells have the answer. The flowers are closely associated with Spring and the sunnier weather it brings as they emerge as soon as there is enough light to flower before the canopy of trees becomes too dense in their natural forest habitat. The fact that they have started appearing in May, rather than April, shows there has been a delay in decent weather this year but it was worth the wait. One of the most spectacular displays has been at Arlington Bluebell Walk and Farm Trail in Polegate, East Sussex, which has been attracting visitors for over 50 years, raising 1million for charity. Owner John McCutchan, 86, said: 'It is an absolute delight every year when they come through and this year is no different, though we have had to wait a bit longer. 'Bluebells signify that spring has well and truly arrived and warmer weather is on its way,' he said. 'A woodland walk among a carpet of bluebells is an experience to delight all the senses from the scent of the native bluebell, to the crunch underfoot of old autumn leaves and birdsong up above.' The deep violet-blue bell-shaped flowers have burst into life around the country, with an almost Impressionist quality at a wood in Watford, Hertfordshire. In Newport, south Wales, one-year-old Aidan Robert enjoyed the colourful scenes for the first time, while a young roe deer was spotted wading through the stems near Blandford, Dorset. Meteorologist Joan Cedrian, of MeteoGroup, said: 'Temperatures have been quite mild in general until now and, in terms of rain, there have been bands of showery periods with dry intervals. 'Considering there have been wet and cloudy weather, it's not been ideal [for bluebells]. 'But we are getting better weather over the next week because of high pressure moving in, so there will be more dry weather. 'There will be periods of cloudy skies but also long, sunny spells, so a better chance for flowers.' The weekend's best weather will be Saturday, he added, with dry conditions and temperatures reaching 20C in the north west and 21C along the south coast. Tomorrow will also reach 20C in most areas and Sunday will be in the high teens, but there will be showers in parts. Bluebells attract a huge assortment of insects because of their early flowering. Bees have learnt to 'steal' their nectar by biting a hole in the bottom of the flower, draining the sweet well without pollinating the flower. The versatile flowers' sap was once used to bind the pages of books and glue feathers to arrows, while their bulbs were crushed to make starch for the ruffs of collars and sleeves in the Elizabethan era. Though common throughout Britain, wild bluebells are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which outlaws picking them or digging up the bulbs. The legislation was introduced to stop woods being stripped so the bulbs could be sold to garden centres. The flowers have also been associated with dark fairy magic. A visit from a bad fairy, followed by death, is in store if you hear one of the bell-shaped flower heads ring. Those that pick them face being led astray by a fairy. According to the language of flowers the symbolic meaning that has been around for centuries but was particularly popular in Victorian times the bluebell signifies humility, everlasting love and gratitude.