Over the past few weeks we’ve focused on the theme of spring flowers. Their importance and contribution to any year cannot be understated. In this respect spring flowers have become symbols, suggesting renewal, in what is undeniably the least colourful part of the year. With their striking yellow displays, Daffodils remain the true heralds of spring. Planted in autumn they spend several months developing roots before bursting into flower during spring.

Plants need water, light, warmth and nutrients (generally found in soil) to grow. Our wet weather certainly gives them the water they need and the sun gives them enough daylight and warmth to grow. But after their winter ‘sleep’ how do they know when it’s time to wake up and begin growing again? Do the birds singing really wake up the trees?

With the weather still cold and the days still short it is the humble snowdrop that gives us hope that spring will soon be here. While known as ‘spring flowers’, these hardy herbaceous plants are so hardy that they often bloom in winter. They can even emerge and grow through snow due to a natural anti-freeze they produce.

There are several varieties of Dogwood dotted along the Connswater Community Greenway all with similar growing and seasonal habits. The plant shows off with a white cluster of flowers in late spring, followed by blue or white berries after summer. The leaves then redden in the autumn before revealing the glorious red stems. It is these red stems that give Dogwood its popularity as an ornamental shrub and its extensive use for landscaping. This plant is used commonly in gardens, planted in colourful mass along roadside edge or as an informal hedge.