SPRING SNOW

When blackthorn bursts into life at the beginning of March, turning whole hedges white with blossom, you’d be forgiven for thinking that there had been a late sprinkling of snow. The five-petalled flowers packed closely together on the bare twigs of this familiar hedgerow shrub – also found along woodland edges – provide a valuable source of nectar for early emerging bees, hoverflies and other insects.

GET INVOLVED Learn about hedgerow management at www.hedgelink.org.uk