I love bluebells, as you no doubt have realised by now, and I don’t think I am alone in my love of these flowers. There is a scene in the film ‘Howard’s End’ that has one of the main characters walking through a bluebell wood – I find it very moving.
We try to visit a bluebell wood each Spring and this year we re-visited Reydon Wood on a beautiful Thursday afternoon in early May.
Elinor walking down the path towards the wood.
Last year we mistimed our visits, with one visit a little too early and another a little too late. This visit was ‘just right’.
The trees were just beginning to put on their beautiful spring clothes.
I peeped through the bars of a gate from the path and saw my first bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta).
Sweet Violets (Viola odorata) were growing at the side of the path, as were Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum) and Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) but my photos of them were over-exposed.
There is a very deep ditch between the path and the wood (you can see the far bank of the ditch at the bottom of the photo)
The ditch was originally dug many centuries ago in an attempt to keep deer out of this coppiced wood. The bottom of the ditch may have had heaps of brush-wood in it as well as water to make crossing it more difficult.
This is a Wild Strawberry flower (Fragaria vesca) – not a good photo I’m afraid.
Herb-Robert (Geranium robertianum)
A mossy tree-stump
More Sweet Violets
The path through the woods
Lesser Celandines (Ranunculus ficaria)
Primroses (Primula vulgaris)
Both Celandines and Primroses had already flowered and gone to seed in the lanes near to my home, but the woods are darker, cooler places and the plants flower later and last longer.
Bugle (Ajuga reptans) flower spikes
An open ride in the wood with stacks of the harvested timber.
The pond in the wood
A Common Backswimmer (Nononecta glauca)
This might be a female Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus)
A Common Frog (Rana temporaria)
Water-violet (Hottonia palustris)
There are a mass of these Water-violets round the pond
Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula) Unfortunately not in focus, though you can clearly see its spotted leaves.
A large coppice stool
Another Early Purple Orchid
Large amounts of brushwood have been stacked around an area that has been newly coppiced in an effort to keep the deer (and people, I expect) away from the new shoots growing from the stools.
This is a typical view of a coppiced wood
Here is a gallery of photos of the bluebells in Reydon Wood.
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I love to look up at the sky through the new leaves
You’re so lucky to have such beautiful places to visit. I’d love to spend a day there among the bluebells and other flowers. The masses of blue are really spectacular.
Your orchids just growing right along the paths always amaze me. You have to look long and hard to find orchids here and I’ve been searching for some varieties for many years.
I’ve never seen or heard of the water violet but it’s a pretty thing. The palustris part of its scientific name reminded me of our wild calla, which is Calla palustris. The word means swampy or marshy, so it’s no surprise that that’s where both of them grow.
That was a nice walk!
Thank-you Allen! Our orchids are strange plants and they turn up in the most unlikely of places. Recently, a rare one has been found growing on a roof in East London! http://www.london24.com/news/rare_orchid_discovered_growing_on_roof_of_islington_council_building_1_4558701
My husband remembers seeing hundreds of orchids growing on an ash heap next to a power station in Lancashire. More orchids and other wild flowers are starting to appear since councils are taking advice about not mowing the grass verges next to roads and other public areas until later in the season.
It looks like a fine day for a walk, with many beautiful flowers to be seen. The stars are the bluebells though, they put on an amazing display with so many of them!
Beautiful photos, Clare! I first learned about coppicing and pollarding through Roger Deakins’ books. Reydon Wood is beautiful, and I love the bluebells as well. The film looks interesting. Will try to find it on Netflix.
Thank-you Lavinia. E M Forster is a favourite novelist of mine and the film is a very good version of the novel. Roger Deakin’s novels are full of wonderful things!
What a gorgeous and restorative place to walk – it gladdens the heart when one is able to access such beautiful nature, doesn’t it. When we lived in West London, we used to virtually live in Kew Gardens every weekend. They have a wonderful bluebell wood which we always looked forward to spending time in each May. There’s just something so compelling about bluebells and other woodland flowers, isn’t there. Thanks for all the fabulous photos and that Howard’s End clip – makes me want to read and watch it all over again! 🙂
Thank-you Liz! I really must go to Kew Gardens one day! My husband has been a couple of times and is full of its praises. Howard’s End – I love the book and the film! After my elder daughter went to University at Royal Holloway College, London I realised the college was used in the film as the hospital where Ruth Wilcox died!
Fun film factoids on a Monday morning – love it!! You absolutely MUST go to Kew as soon as possible!! It is the main thing I miss about London, even though we now have easier access to glorious Scottish countryside. Whenever I used to walk through the gates, it was like a spiritual experience – I used to feel as if I had arrived home somehow, and could spend hours and hours wandering around all the different parts. I realise this sounds a bit happy-clappy, but nature can do that to you, can’t it!
Wow, such lovely photos, I’ve got to say I particularly like the pond life, not easy to photograph. I’d love to go for a walk there. The suburbs are just not that peaceful!
Thank-you! I was really pleased that the photos of the pond life came out. The sun was in just the right place and there were hardly any reflections on the water’s surface. It is often difficult to find peace and quiet in the suburbs. I used to live in SE London and I know what it is like 😉
Bluebells are so lovely! Howard’s End certainly left an impression on me when I first watched it but I had forgotten the scene with the bluebells…yes, how moving! What stunning shots of your walk. How I wish I could have enjoyed the beauty with you. Thank you for sharing them and also for the film clip. 🙂
A fabulous series of photos, it’s making me lust for spring again! Loved all your wildflower shots, the one of the newt is fantastic – how lucky to see one. hope you’re keeping well! 🙂 x
Oh, Clare! I haven’t had a long spring walk through the woods in years now. What a delightful walk you took me on in this post. Thank you.
I love bluebells too and wish they would thrive here more. The closest we’ve had is the blue scilla, which carpets some lawns, garden beds and verges, especially in older neighborhoods.
Thank-you Cynthia! Bluebells are very fussy liking sunshine when they are flowering and then damp shade for the rest of the year. If their leaves are damaged or cut off the bulb dies. I am trying to establish bluebells in my garden and it’s a very slow business!
Hello Clare! I am having a big catch up session! Please excuse my absence..building work at the house has been consuming a lot of my time! This looks like a beautiful wood to visit and I really loved your photos! I love the idea of walking in a bluebell wood and I loved seeing the other springtime flowers too. Its nice to see such a pretty pond as well,l with so many little creatures living in it. They obviously manage this woodland very well.
Yes, it is very well managed mainly by The Suffolk Wildlife Trust with the help of the local community. We have recently had a new shower room fitted and that was so messy and time consuming that I quite understand how difficult it has been for you.. I really dislike having workmen in the house!
Lisa G. said:
Enchanting, Clare. I’m glad you timed it right this year!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Lisa! I’ve just got to catch up with my posts now!
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Jill Weatherholt said:
I love the Bluebells too, Clare! You’ve got such a great eye with the camera. I particularly enjoyed the photo of Elinor strolling along the path. ❤
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Jill ❤
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markspitzerdesigns said:
Always fun to see the color blue in the landscape – thanks
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much Mark!
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colorpencil2014 said:
Lovely photos as always…and really, how can you not love blue bells??? Happy weekend, xo Johanna
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Johanna! Hope your weekend is a happy one! xx Clare
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timkeen40 said:
There is nothing more beautiful than nature. That’s why I live in the country and will for as long as I am allowed to be here.
Tim
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clarepooley33 said:
I completely agree with you Tim! Thank-you for taking the time to comment and for the follow 🙂
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susanpoozan said:
What a beautiful and interesting wood to walk in.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much Susan. We are lucky to live so close to it.
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KerryCan said:
What a lot of beautiful flowers! But, you’re right, it’s the bluebells that really stand out–soooo many of them and that gorgeous color!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Kerry! Yes, the colour is wonderful!
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
You’re so lucky to have such beautiful places to visit. I’d love to spend a day there among the bluebells and other flowers. The masses of blue are really spectacular.
Your orchids just growing right along the paths always amaze me. You have to look long and hard to find orchids here and I’ve been searching for some varieties for many years.
I’ve never seen or heard of the water violet but it’s a pretty thing. The palustris part of its scientific name reminded me of our wild calla, which is Calla palustris. The word means swampy or marshy, so it’s no surprise that that’s where both of them grow.
That was a nice walk!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Allen! Our orchids are strange plants and they turn up in the most unlikely of places. Recently, a rare one has been found growing on a roof in East London!
http://www.london24.com/news/rare_orchid_discovered_growing_on_roof_of_islington_council_building_1_4558701
My husband remembers seeing hundreds of orchids growing on an ash heap next to a power station in Lancashire. More orchids and other wild flowers are starting to appear since councils are taking advice about not mowing the grass verges next to roads and other public areas until later in the season.
LikeLike
quietsolopursuits said:
It looks like a fine day for a walk, with many beautiful flowers to be seen. The stars are the bluebells though, they put on an amazing display with so many of them!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Jerry! It makes me catch my breath when I see so many bluebells en masse. The sight is dazzling and the scent is wonderful!
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tootlepedal said:
A perfect wood for seeing bluebells. Well done for getting the timing right.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much.
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Lavinia Ross said:
Beautiful photos, Clare! I first learned about coppicing and pollarding through Roger Deakins’ books. Reydon Wood is beautiful, and I love the bluebells as well. The film looks interesting. Will try to find it on Netflix.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Lavinia. E M Forster is a favourite novelist of mine and the film is a very good version of the novel. Roger Deakin’s novels are full of wonderful things!
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Liz said:
What a gorgeous and restorative place to walk – it gladdens the heart when one is able to access such beautiful nature, doesn’t it. When we lived in West London, we used to virtually live in Kew Gardens every weekend. They have a wonderful bluebell wood which we always looked forward to spending time in each May. There’s just something so compelling about bluebells and other woodland flowers, isn’t there. Thanks for all the fabulous photos and that Howard’s End clip – makes me want to read and watch it all over again! 🙂
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Liz! I really must go to Kew Gardens one day! My husband has been a couple of times and is full of its praises. Howard’s End – I love the book and the film! After my elder daughter went to University at Royal Holloway College, London I realised the college was used in the film as the hospital where Ruth Wilcox died!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz said:
Fun film factoids on a Monday morning – love it!! You absolutely MUST go to Kew as soon as possible!! It is the main thing I miss about London, even though we now have easier access to glorious Scottish countryside. Whenever I used to walk through the gates, it was like a spiritual experience – I used to feel as if I had arrived home somehow, and could spend hours and hours wandering around all the different parts. I realise this sounds a bit happy-clappy, but nature can do that to you, can’t it!
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clarepooley33 said:
I’m like that most of the time 😀
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Liz said:
Lol!
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Orts and Gribbles said:
Lovely photos, particularly the slideshow! I’ve only been to bluebell woods once before but it’s a fantastic experience.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you! Yes, they are unforgettable.
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C thehappymeerkat said:
Wow, such lovely photos, I’ve got to say I particularly like the pond life, not easy to photograph. I’d love to go for a walk there. The suburbs are just not that peaceful!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you! I was really pleased that the photos of the pond life came out. The sun was in just the right place and there were hardly any reflections on the water’s surface. It is often difficult to find peace and quiet in the suburbs. I used to live in SE London and I know what it is like 😉
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Ste J said:
Nicely times, it is always refreshing to see greenery and learn about the history. I could spend days just sitting and taking it in.
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clarepooley33 said:
So could I Ste! Thank-you.
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Charlotte Hoather said:
Lovely photos Clare I feel like I was walking with you.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Charlotte!
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Jane said:
Bluebells are so lovely! Howard’s End certainly left an impression on me when I first watched it but I had forgotten the scene with the bluebells…yes, how moving! What stunning shots of your walk. How I wish I could have enjoyed the beauty with you. Thank you for sharing them and also for the film clip. 🙂
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clarepooley33 said:
My pleasure Jane and thank-you so much for taking the time to comment. You always say the nicest things! 🙂
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beckarooney said:
A fabulous series of photos, it’s making me lust for spring again! Loved all your wildflower shots, the one of the newt is fantastic – how lucky to see one. hope you’re keeping well! 🙂 x
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clarepooley33 said:
Hi Becky, thank-you for your kind comment and hope you are well too. I’m fine 🙂 xx
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Cynthia Reyes said:
Oh, Clare! I haven’t had a long spring walk through the woods in years now. What a delightful walk you took me on in this post. Thank you.
I love bluebells too and wish they would thrive here more. The closest we’ve had is the blue scilla, which carpets some lawns, garden beds and verges, especially in older neighborhoods.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Cynthia! Bluebells are very fussy liking sunshine when they are flowering and then damp shade for the rest of the year. If their leaves are damaged or cut off the bulb dies. I am trying to establish bluebells in my garden and it’s a very slow business!
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Cynthia Reyes said:
Hi Clare:
I had some and they got overshadowed and died.
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clarepooley33 said:
That’s bluebells for you!
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Sheryl @ Flowery Prose said:
Wonderful photos – such a beautiful landscape!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Sheryl!
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Kate R said:
Hello Clare! I am having a big catch up session! Please excuse my absence..building work at the house has been consuming a lot of my time! This looks like a beautiful wood to visit and I really loved your photos! I love the idea of walking in a bluebell wood and I loved seeing the other springtime flowers too. Its nice to see such a pretty pond as well,l with so many little creatures living in it. They obviously manage this woodland very well.
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clarepooley33 said:
Yes, it is very well managed mainly by The Suffolk Wildlife Trust with the help of the local community. We have recently had a new shower room fitted and that was so messy and time consuming that I quite understand how difficult it has been for you.. I really dislike having workmen in the house!
LikeLiked by 1 person