by loiswakeman
@ 18/12/2006 - 12:26:23
Eeek: although it isn't even Christmas yet, the hazel catkins are already full of pollen. The unripe catkins were well-developed while the leaves were green, but I wasn't expecting them to flower so unseasonably early: normally I'd expect them in February. Strange times - I imagine it shouldn't affect the crop of nuts in 2007 too badly, since hazel is wind-pollinated, so doesn't depend on insects.
A friend who lives just down the hill has the first primrose in her garden. Perhaps not quite so surprising: primrose comes from the Latin for "first rose", indicating that they often appear early. The main blooming is traditionally around Mothering Sunday in March, when posies were gathered by children for their Mums.
18/12/06 @ 12:31