Gorse (Ulex europaeus) on Coopers Hill, Bedfordshire (an SSSI site managed by the Wildlife Trust) 17.02.15 and 9c
Wordless Wednesday – Gorse Buds in February Sunshine
Gardening Jules
Birds, Bees, Flowers, Trees – Organic & Wildlife Friendly Gardening
Gardening Jules 
Beautiful photograph. I have a new respect for gorse now that I realise what an important source of pollen it is to the bees early in the year. Amelia
Coopers Hill is a local sandy heathland, with lots of Gorse and Heather, I could hear a gentle buzz yesterday and was delighted to see a Solitary bee, I was too slow for a decent photo though.
Such a lovely Spring-y photo. Thanks for sharing!
It really did feel like a proper Spring day yesterday and today but I hear we are in for a lot of rain by the weekend.
Oh what a beautiful sight, with that blue sky in the background. 🙂 I can almost feel the warmth of the sun looking at this!
With the sunshine came a frost this morning and another sunny day today but due to be followed by several of rain. Early spring in all its glory! Hope your weather starts to warm up soon Cathy.
What a lovely photo, and gorgeous day, as indeed it was here. Weather and flowers to really kick spring off, even though we’re not properly there yet. And the sky blue at this time of the year. Fabulous,
BW
Julian
Thanks Julian, little bits of good weather and Spring flowers really fill me with joy, glad to hear you are having good weather too. 🙂
The gorse is out here too, brightening up the countryside. That is a lovely photo.
I’m not sure if its the mild winter but the Gorse here seems to be laden with buds and flowers this year, its a very jolly sight.
I’ve never seen gorse close up and didn’t realize it looks like a pea. Does it have a pea-like fragrance?
Up on Coopers Hill the gorse grows very tall along the footpaths, apparently it smells distinctly of coconut but sadly it was lost on me yesterday (I have a cold) and I could not smell a thing.
What a great photo Julie. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen gorse. Glad you’re getting some nice weather and hope your cold is soon gone.
Thanks Susie, Gorse is a big tough plant and a native here but was apparently introduced into America in the 1800’s. The last couple of days have been really lovely, I hope you have some signs of Spring soon too.
What a great shot. When the gorse is out it is kissing time, so the saying goes. Have you noticed that it smells of Coconut suntan lotion?
I’ve read Gorse smells of Coconuts but I can’t detect it and that saying sounds fun, I wonder where it originates from.
I think the saying is actually:’ when gorse is out of bloom, kissing is out of season’. This is because it is rarely out of bloom completely.
Such a gorgeous photo, the first signs of spring are so welcome…I saw my first pollinator yesterday,
That must of been a heart warming sight Charlie, Spring is certainly on its way.
I have heard Chloris’s saying about Gorse – kissing almost all the year round then! The photo is beautiful. I was born not far from where you took it – Barton-le-Clay – though I don’t remember anything much about it as we moved away when I was tiny.
What a coincidence Clare, Barton has some lovely hills to walk on and is a couple of miles from our village. The Hills and Springs have been designated a National nature reserve now, we go over to Pegsdon Hills, which link up to Barton Hills to walk there. Its a great spot!
Life is strange! My parents used to cycle everywhere when we lived there as we had no car at the time!
Brilliant photo. Nothing like yellow flowers against a clear blue sky. I have to admit I have no idea what gorse looks like.
The whole shrub is tough, evergreen and plain, its the flowers that are the stars.
Julie this is a stunning picture!
Thanks Donna, Gorse is one those tough overlooked plants but on an early Spring day with a bright blue sky, it really comes into its own.