January 31st – on the way to work on a grim, cold morning, the familiar sight of gorse flowers on waste ground near Bentley Mill Way surprised and delighted me. I’m never really sure of the difference between gorse and broom, but the bright yellow flowers – in bloom before Christmas – seem to be around forever and smell pleasingly of coconut.
Such a lovely sight on a cold, grey day.
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December 13th – On the canal near Bentley bridge, the gorse (or is it broom? I’m never sure) is coming into flower and bringing a splash of welcome colour ro a drab, damp landscape.
I love to see this flower – it carries me through winter and reminds me it won’t be long until spring flowers return. It also won’t be long now until the shortest day and once more, the opening out will commence again.
I can’t wait.
December 19th – Also on my commute, the gorse (or is it broom?) is in flower again. This spiny, prehistoric-looking shrub fascinates me, and seems to be in flower for all but two or three months of the year these days.
A welcome splash of colour during the dark, grey days of winter.
I was always told by my old man that it was gorse. So I called it this for years. Last year, I posted a picture and a somewhat irritable commenter told me it was broom, not gorse. Not checking, I took their word for it.
Linda and others, you are quite right, that’s Gorse and I am now finally clued up.
Cheers to all who drew my attention to it. I do like to get stuff right, and if ever I’m wrong, feel free to point it out. I want to get stuff right.
Personally, I blame the Welsh.
Cheers
Bob
February 14th – And still, gently, slowly, almost imperceptibly, nature is shuffling things into place for spring. When the rain stops and the sun warms the earth, fields, hedgerows and pools, all the preparations will pay off and the cascade of flowers, green and growth will begin.
Just as it does every year.
The canals are dotted right now with floating roots. These are bullrushes looking for a new home. In winter, they readily split from their parent clumps, and drift, looking for a decent spot to anchor and regrow. Scaly and ivory in colour, they vary from a couple of feet long to small nodules.
Also, the Broom is well in flower. I’ve been erroneously calling this gorse for years, and apparently it’s actually broom. But hell, it’s bright yellow and about the only colourful thing in the hedgerows right now.
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