Early bluebells predicted for 2011

News – Bluebells will be arriving early in Gloucestershire this year, with the Forest of Dean once again expected to be a popular destination for the annual floral spectacular.

Gloucestershire is in for an early and fantastic display of bluebells this year, following the mild and dry start to 2011, according to experts at the National Trust.

After the coldest December for more than a century, the mildest February in nearly a decade and the driest March in 40 years with higher than average sunshine levels, bluebells are said to be beginning to bloom a couple of weeks earlier than normal.

‘An absence of frost in the mild February and March months sped up the flowering process of the bluebell, though a bit of rain will speed them up further,’ said National Trust naturalist Matthew Oates.

‘The bluebell starts growing in January with its sole purpose to flower before the other woodland plants which have this year stalled because of the dry weather. This means that the bluebell is relatively free from competition and attracts the early spring pollinators.’

‘Easter weekend looks set to be the peak time to see bluebells in the south of England but this will vary depending on aspect. Further north, on high ground and on north-facing slopes the flowering will be later.’

Bluebells are reported to depend on warm ground temperatures to help them grow and are normally, but not exclusively, found in old woodland, thick old hedges and on bracken-covered hillsides – with the Forest of Dean being one of the best places to see the natural attraction in Gloucestershire.

For more see Bluebells in the Forest of Dean, and SoGlos.com’s list of Gloucestershire gardens.

SoGlos.com
7 April 2011