Blog

I blog about nature in the Norfolk countryside and about my wildlife garden. My blog blends digital photos with an analogue nature journal.

Nature journalling blends nature observation and citizen science with a written diariy or art journal to build a deeper connection with nature and cultivate curiosity, creativity and flow.

Purple Bluebells

The Bluebell's hue comes from an anthocyanin, called Delphinidin, that can appear red, purple or blue depending on its chemical environment. PH, light absorption, other flavonoids and metallic ions all affect the final shade we see. Delphinidin has 3 hydroxyl decorations, which shifts the colour towards purple and blue. This marks them as highly visible to pollinators. Colour also changes over time, with the youngest flowers being richest in colour.

First Snowdrops

The sight of this little harbinger of spring is always so uplifting after the ten longest, darkest weeks surrounding the winter solstice. John spotted the first in flower on the 26th when walking Rosa and the cluster under the Sweet Chestnut is well in bloom in the sunshine today.

Likely first introduced to gardens in the 1500s, they had naturalised by the 1770s, and were then further spread by soldiers returning from the Crimean War.

Their long history means they hold a deep enduring place in our psyche symbolising both death and renewal in our folklore, in particular through their association with the return of Perserhone from Hades.

 

© Kiri Stuart-Clarke 2008-2026
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