Seasons Shifting

[ron1863]

Warm, hot, dry weather actually forces plants to flower and reproduce and as long as we are able to provide water now and again, everything should be o.k.

[smartie]

We're surrounded by oilseed rape here and it has been flowering since the end of March. In the garden, I'm noticing quite a variation in growth patterns. Some things, like the clematis montana, which is already starting to flower almost a month ahead of its normal time here, and the hostas, which are unfurling their leaves, are unusually early. On the other hand some of the herbaceous plants like the astrantias and agapanthus, that suffered the really punishing drought at the height of their flowering season last year, seem to be slow to emerge this year. I'm assuming they are still a bit stressed from last year's problems, which look like being repeated even earlier this year.

[kaz]

Our clematis montana is in flower already and our bedding lobelia flowered all through the winter.

[wildflower]

I have got a poppy bursting from its bud its normally happening early june but yesterday during the rain i went out and took this photo of it emerging..

[smartie]

The variation in timings is amazing - my poppies haven't even thrown up flower stalks yet. Or at least I hope not - there is always the possibility that the muntjac have nibbled them off. Good photo, BTW.

[wildflower]

I also have a lupin flower head emerging this morning and i am not anywhere warm i am in the midlands....its most strange..think we are having june in april..

[kayleigh2]

Originally Posted by wildflower

I have got a poppy bursting from its bud its normally happening early june but yesterday during the rain i went out and took this photo of it emerging..

WOW! what a picture! stunning, i suppose the nice thing about all this premature summer is it has a lovely atmosphere and its lovely to see all the blossom out but at this rate it will be autumn by august bank holiday!

[wildflower]

It makes you wonder with everything early my chamomile is ready to open the lupins have now thrown up stalks my angelica is allready in flower.. and other little things have apeared..makes me think unless i get a second show i will have some gaps in august This poppy will be fully open by the weekend and its all just weird and strange..The only thing i have noticed that isnt forward is the seeds i have sown they are as normal taking their time..
I do remember last autumn though as it was so warm getting a second show on the lupins and one of my poppys so maybe that will happen again..

[kaz]

What a wonderful picture wildflower, it really captures the bursting open of the flower.

[richardkm]

Doesn't seem any earlier than usual here, the trees are only just starting to turn green. We've had a couple of days of light rain so everything is nice and fresh.