Forsythia Week

In week 2009/15, the various cultivars of Forsythia come into flower, somewhat later than last year, with the fine yellows soon offset by glorious white sprays that might be one of the species of Crataegus. Whatever it is, it is a native harbinger of spring that often grows wild in area hedgerows. The first flowering cherries in the neighbourhood, conceivably Prunus 'Okame' or Prunus hirtipes (formerly Prunus conradinae), come into blossom, carrying through on the promises many weeks ago of Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis'. For a useful guide to flowering plum and cherry blossoms, see the Brooklyn Botanic Garden picture gallery. In the woods and hedgerows, the greening has begun, with deciduous trees showing a tinge of green at the beginning of the week and sprays of young leaves by the end of the week, though the timber is still visible. This is supported at ground level by fields of Narcissus, and the first heads of Tulipa as the week closes. Ribes sanguineum 'Atrorubens' comes into full flower late in the week: its drooping capsules have hung pregnantly for more than two weeks, shyly promising the deep pink about to come.