Usually around this time of year
First blooms
The first flowers of spring, arriving earlier or later each year.
When and where to look
Late winter into spring, starting with the earliest flowers in sheltered, sunny spots and moving uphill and north as the season warms.
Why it happens
Plants flower when enough warmth has built up, so the first blossoms move with the weather: an early warm spell brings them forward and a cold snap holds them back. Following them is one of the oldest ways people have kept the calendar.
How to catch one
- Pick one tree or patch on a walk you repeat and check it each week.
- Look on south-facing walls and slopes first; they warm soonest.
- Note the date. Year to year, your own record becomes your calendar.
Nature notifications
Wildlife, seasonal changes, weather and sky events near you.