Plants of Doddington Wood
Snowdrops
Snowdrops are one of the first flowers to appear after winter, often when the late Winter snows are still are still covering the ground. They are not native to the UK, but have become naturalised in our woodlands.
They grow a single white flower to each green stem, which droops down towards the ground. Over time the petals of the flower open wide, almost umbrella like in shape.
Much of the folktales surrounding Snowdrops comes from Europe - including the tale of how Snowdrops came to grow so well in Winter. The story goes that at the beginning of time the elements were searching for their colours, admiring the colours of all the bright and beautiful flowers. The Snow asked each flower if it could take on its colour, but each flower refused, thinking the snow was too cold and unpleasant. Snow came to the tiny white Snowdrop, and feeling pity for Snow, the Snowdrop offered up its colour and to show its gratitude, Snow promised to allow the Snowdrops to bloom at the end of winter with protection from the harsh weather.
Bluebells
Bluebells are known for creating beautiful dense carpets of blue in woodlands and forests at the end of Spring. They can display little boughs of blue, pink, purple and even white flowers, and the shape of the stem depends on which variety is growing. Native English Bluebells have a drooping stem with flowers all down one side, whereas Spanish Bluebells have a straight stem with flowers growing on all sides.
They are considered one of the signs to look out for when identifying ancient woodlands, but they are not limited to growing there. Their enchanting appearance often gives rise to tales of fairies and their mischief and it is said that if a child picks a bluebell from a bluebell wood, the fairies will lure them into their world.
Wild Garlic
A plant you will most likely smell before you see it, being in the Allium plant family, it has a very strong garlic smell. It produces vivid green leaves, which are broad and pointed, and will smell strongly of garlic when crushed or disturbed. The leaves appear in spring, often creating dense carpets, and flowers in late April and May. The entire plant is edible from the bulbs to the seeds but care must be taken not to mistaken it for Bluebells, Snowdrops and Lords and Ladies.
It can be used as a garlic flavour replacement,as a delicious spring green vegetable but it is most commonly used to make pesto. It has many nutritional benefits, including being very high in Vitamin C. The different parts of the plant have their own unique levels of garlic flavour, with the bulbs being the most intense. It is against the law to uproot any plant without the landowners permission, so its best to stick to eating the leaves and flowers.
