Plum Blossom and Blackthorn Bloom

You know Spring is on the way when you spot the first bloom of white and pink Plum Blossom in the hedgerows.

The white Blossom with its small, delicate five petalled flowers, suddenly brings life back to the city roads and countryside.

It can be difficult to tell the difference between Plum and Blackthorn blossom. The Blackthorn will, of course, bear Sloes next Autumn.

The simple way to tell the difference is to plunge your arm vigorously into the bush and wriggle it about. 

If it is covered in bloody scratches when you retrieve it, odds are it was a Blackthorn... The clue is in the name ;-)

Of course, you could simply marvel at the beauty that nature brings and remember where the plums will be in a couple of months. 

It always brings a smile to my face, when the warmer weather finally takes hold...