Bramble in flower

willbick · #1 (**permalink**) 13-01-2012, 07:21 PM

I own a bit of woodland in Gloucestershire and today spotted a few flowers on a bramble. Is this particularly unusual?

Dorts · #2 (**permalink**) 13-01-2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willbick

I own a bit of woodland in Gloucestershire and today spotted a few flowers on a bramble. Is this particularly unusual?

Yes it is! You occasionally get a few very late flowers, but now we're almost half-way Jan. this must go down as a very early-flowering plant.
Dorts.

IanS · #3 (**permalink**) 13-01-2012, 10:18 PM

I've also seen some recently opened bramble flowers in my friends back garden. Very unusual.

King Edward · #4 (**permalink**) 13-01-2012, 10:19 PM

Bramble in flower here as well (Herefordshire) - I noticed it earlier today. Worth a photo, I suppose.

Regarding early/late flowering: if I remember rightly, bramble flowers on new side shoots produced on the previous year's long stems. If January flowers are being produced on growth from 2010 stems, I'd call that late flowering. True early flowering would be on new shoots borne on long stems grown in 2011.

willbick · #5 (**permalink**) 15-01-2012, 01:28 AM

V interesting. thanks for yr thoughts folks!

Crumble · #6 (**permalink**) 15-01-2012, 09:59 AM

We've got them here too in our little bit of woodland on Anglesey. We too wondered whether it's an early start or a confused second show due to the mild and wet winter we've had so far.

Hopefully, winter may stick around for more than a couple of days to reset the natural clocks a bit.

Dorts · #7 (**permalink**) 15-01-2012, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crumble

We've got them here too in our little bit of woodland on Anglesey. We too wondered whether it's an early start or a confused second show due to the mild and wet winter we've had so far.

I think it is most likely to be a very late second flowering, which was K.E.'s suggestion with these (early) flowering Brambles. Though having said that, you have a very clement climate on Ynys Môn, unlike us down here among the mountains!

Dorts.

Crumble · #8 (**permalink**) 15-01-2012, 11:59 AM

It is indeed very mild on this lump of rock. We were beginning to wonder if we'd ever have a proper frost. There's time for things to get proper chilly yet but I suspect this current cold snap won't last long.

It will, however, set a few things back that are trying to beat the system. It would nice to see spring appear, rather than just dribble in bit by bit from winter.

Anyone fancy fresh blackberries on their mince pies ?