Driving across the border into Suffolk on Friday I noticed little clumps of cowslips, stitchwort and wood anemones by the side of the road. We’ve had chicken pox in the house so much of the last week has been spent cooped up, but these little glimpses of wildflowers reminded me that Spring was definitely here.
Stitchwort, taken using iPhone
Reading Sarah Raven’s feature on wildflower sites in last month’s Country Living magazine, I realised that I hadn’t been in a bluebell wood since I was a child. I live in the country for goodness sake! This seemed wrong. Yesterday the Mr told me I needed a few hours off – I had strict instructions to get out of the house and have fun, so I hatched a plan.
I knew that Celia of Purple Podded Peas gets as excited about wildflowers as I do, so after a couple of texts off we went on a wildflower safari. We were armed with homemade shortbread and a copy of Food for Free (just in case we got lost and had to forage for our lunch).
This was a truly magical place – entirely quiet except for birdsong.
Gina says
It sounds like a parfect day out. Hope all the chicken pox has cleared up… miserable for you all.
julie says
What a wonderful safari. We have such beautiful native wildflowers and it's lovely to see some of them here – not good about the fritillaries though. I need to go on a bluebell walk soon – we have a really good bluebell wood very near to us and it is the perfect time to visit now isn't it.
Magic Cochin says
It was indeed a super day! I admit to being a wildflower nerd and it was a joy to join you.
The shortbread was mighty fine too!
Celia
xx
greenrabbitdesigns says
I think I may do a bluebell walk this afternoon.
Not at all nerdy, I still have all my wildflower books I had as a child.
Such a shame about the fritillaries, they are amazing flowers. 🙂
Vivienne x
dottycookie says
What a glorious way to spend the day! Hope the dreaded pox is well on its way out by now.
Down by the sea says
What a wonderful way of spending a day out,thank you so much for sharing.
Sarah
Su says
What a wonderful day out you had, and such treasures that you spied. Shame about the fritillaries, some people have no sense or respect. I haven't been a bluebell wood for a few years now, I think I'll have to change that now!
Menopausalmusing says
What a brilliant trip out! Wish I lived nearer. I could weep re the fritillaries………
Julie says
I was in London yesterday and walked past a garden square where bluebells were flowering. It was lovely to see them and the smell was gorgoeus. You saw some beautiful flowers and I would be with you in anger at the wilful destruction of the gorgeous fritillaries.
I do hope you are soon rid of the chickenpox. xx
Frances says
Emma, what a grand time you and Celia must have had. Let me raise my hand as also being infatuated with wildflowers!
The video really expresses the lovely woodsy quiet.
I do hope that you all are emerging from the bout of chicken pox.
xo
...Tabiboo... says
Ohhhh no – I'm totally with you on the nerd front Emma – I was spying cowslips only two days ago and squealing with delight.
Absolutely beautiful
Nina x
Betty says
Fabulous – snakes head fritillaries and cowslips are getting rare now, I haven't seen any in the woods here in 18 years – you are so lucky!
Madelief says
I enjoyed watching your wildflower safari! There are so many beautiful flowers in bloom at the moment. You captured them wonderfully.
Your daughters look very sweet on your Easter post!
Happy new week,
Madelief x
Beth says
What a great post! I love wild flowers, in fact I treated myself to Sarah Raven's book (Wild Flowers) as soon as it came out. I am wondering of the snakeshead fritillaries were picked or eaten? I have a lot in our lawn here (planted by me) but every single one has had it's top eaten just as they were about to flower, I was so cross with the rabbits as I was very excited about the show they were about to produce, they left much of the grass around the flowers long, just nipped off the flowerheads.
Beth (the linen cat)x
Toffeeapple says
How lovely to have someone to share it with, I do envy you both.
RHIANNON says
I would love such a guided tour as I am a wildflower nerd. Luckily I live near therfield heath which has pasque flowers. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10145223@N02/6899606222/in/photostream
by Teresa says
There's nothing nerdy about loving wildflowers! I'm always photographing them and posting them on my blog, too. In Oregon we're almost all wildflower "hippies". 🙂 Glad you got an outing. ((hugs)), Teresa 🙂
Belinda @ Wild Acre says
I get totally over excited about wildflowers tool and am very envious of your safari!! Thx for sharing it with us. I have just planted three pasqueflowers in the garden but have never been lucky enough to see them in the wild? Mt fritillaries get munched by pheasants and rabbits, perhaps that is what happened? X
Rachel says
Fritillaries are lovely aren't they!
Menopausalmusing says
I had just come back over to ask whether you thought that maybe the fritillaries had been eaten, but I see someone else has asked that. I only thought about it this afternoon as we are having problems with deer getting into our garden and doing damage…..
Mrs. Micawber says
If ever you start a Wildflower Nerds club I shall be the first to sign up. I love stalking wildflowers and learning new varieties. How nice to have a friend to share the fun!
Handmade in Israel says
What a fabulous day out! There is nothing like a bit of wild flower spotting 🙂 I just wrote a post about "Lupin Hill" where we found so many beautiful wild Lupins – just wonderful!
driftwood says
oh what a lovely outing with wonderful wildflowers. lots of gorgeous inspiration ! xxx
Thimbleanna says
What beautiful flowers! How fun to spend a day just hunting the flowers with a friend. Sounds like a wonderful weekend!
dragonfly says
Oh, I love posts like this! I'm a nature nerd too and am furious to read about picked fritillaries.
Our annual bluebell walk isn't for another month, I do hope we won't have missed them. Hmmm, I might do a sneaky recce beforehand …
Lori ann says
how beautiful! i loved this post and your blog (i'm your newest follower). my husband and i chase the wildflowers every year, it's a brief but lovely time!
love your jewelry too!
The Coffee Lady says
It is a good thing that dandelions aren't so loved.I have about a hundred of them that Littlest picks whenever we're out, going dry at the bottom of my handbag.
Locket Pocket says
Oh Emma I'm so sorry to hear the Little Miss Pebbles have been poorly :o( Hope they are much better now. Sending lots of love, Lucy xx
rental mobil says
Nice article, thanks for sharing.
Ginnie says
Thank you for sharing all the natural beauty! What a treat.
Annie @ knitsofacto says
I'm not sure you can be overly wild flower nerdy! I spent an hour on Saturday photographing a bank of cowslips … only when I found myself lying on my stomach in mud did I stop to question my sanity.
Great post Emma, and how lucky you are to live where you do 😀
zephyr says
i am geeky over wildflowers, too and i loved this post…and am relieved, with you, to know the fritillaries are okay.
Cottage Garden says
Oh I haven't been to Mickfield Meadow for a long time – must rectify that. What a shame about the snakeshead fritillaries.
We plan to go to Blickling this weekend for a bluebell walk – fingers crossed for showers as opposed to torrential rain!
Jeanne
x