The 25th February is celebrated as Plum Blossom Day in many parts of Japan and, right on cue, a few delicate white flowers have appeared on the scrubby cherry plum bushes in our garden not far from the Square Metre.
As well as bringing on early flowers, the warm weather is encouraging insects to appear. A seven-spot ladybird was sunning itself in Brambly Hedge and several bumble bees zoomed through the Square Metre air space. One settled among the dead leaves and ivy and remained there once it was well tucked in. It looked too small for a queen (most early flying bumble bees are queens) and I suspect it was a worker that had managed to overwinter.
The hiding bumble bee is in the centre of the lower picture.
Vegetation is still mostly at a standstill apart from goosegrass (Galium aparine) whose autumn germinated plants seem to grow in a cheery fresh and green manner whatever the weather. Goosegrass is one of many English names for the plant and geese are reputed to enjoy eating it. Perhaps it supplies some welcome fresh green stuff for them in winter. One baffling name (to me ) for the plant is the Welsh lau'r offeiriad which means 'louse of the priest'. I would welcome an explanation.
