TURN OF THE SEASONS by Rosemary Roach

February 2nd was Candelmas Day and I was watching the weather very closely. Although there was snow on the ground from the day before, the sun was shining, giving many shadows – so – ‘if it be fair and bright winter will have another flight’, and so it turned out to be true. Thankfully for each fall of snow we had there was a quick thaw, or almost, so we had to ‘have more snow to wash it all away’.

The snowdrops in the wood are multiplying well, with the help of the extra plants that were planted, and they have certainly lived up to their name this year, as they were quite often seen peaking out of a good covering of snow. There are about 20 species of snowdrops, galanthus, with more than 500 cultivars. White pendulous flowers, as singles, and some fancy doubles, with the pretty filigree green lace on the inner petals. Although often thought of as a British native wildflower, or to have been brought in by the Romans, it is more probable that they were introduced around the early 16th Century. An active substance in snowdrop is Galantamine, and although not a cure it can be helpful in the treatment of various diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. However, I would not recommend you eating any of the plant.

But Spring is here, the snow is a distant memory, and following on from the snowdrops, all the spring bulbs are coming into bloom, and brightening our days. We are now looking forward to the first butterfly and the first migrant birds, and the promise of a good summer.