Spring blooms: It's bluebell season!

It's nearly that time of the year when our woodlands fill with a carpet of blue, but do you know when to find them?

Bluebells often flower from late-March to early May, with a peak often around April. However this can vary year on year and in location, due to the weather.

Based on records from 2001 to 2020, the average date to see the first bluebells in the UK is the 14th April. Their flower duration is also dependent on weather, with their average bloom tending to last a few weeks.

Bluebells flower slightly later after a cold winter, and although we had a few cold snaps through December and early March, we have had an overall mild winter, so they are likely to flower a little earlier than normal this year.

The next few weeks will also shape when they bloom, but temperatures do look to fall below average during the weekend and early next week.

Bluebells like rich, undisturbed soils so hunt around your area for old, ancient woodlands, though you can also spot them along hedgerows, fields and gardens! It takes over 5 years for a bluebell patch to establish.

If you do spot a sea of blue, be sure to send in your spring blooms to our dedicated uploader for us to share!