Coltsfoot. I always search for this joyful ‘sign of spring in my garden.
Tussilago farfara. Coltsfoot because of the shape of the flower. Traditionally used as an old country remedy for a cough. In fact, tussis is Latin for cough. Not to be recommended, as it is also toxic. Also known as bullsfoot, clay weed, hoofs, sow foot, dove dock, cleats, cough wort, ginge, tushy luck. Belongs to the asteraceae family. Loved by bees and hoverflies. Grows in sunny, bramble strewn, damp, wild meadow part of my garden.
What signs of spring do you yearn for in your garden?
Bramble Garden 
Beautiful flowers! Nature is the best painter ever! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you Cecilia. That is so true. x
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I’m just getting beyond the idea that anything yellow, that grows near to the ground and has lots of fine-line petals is some kind of dandelion. Great to see the layers of shapes in the second photo down.
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Thanks for reading and getting in touch Lucy. I’m just looking at the most amazing, successful dandelion in my flower border. Should really pull it straight out. But the bees are enjoying it. It stays- for another day 🙂 x
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Oh, leave it longer than a day! And if it’s the only one, you’ll be able to chop off its head before its seeds get about.
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That’s what I will do the . Not panic! Yesterday we lost count of the butterflies in the garden. Never been able to say that before in March. We had brimstone yellows, painted ladies, comma, and one peacock. All love dandelions and the wild primroses alongside. xxx
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Such detail on your photos Karen, ones you wouldn’t notice in passing. And I am not sure I can answer your question as so may things come in a rush here, and in truth I don’t yearn for them but just enjoy the signs and the anticipation
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These camera phones are amazing aren’t they. Today the pearl bush (prunus mojo-no mia ) is in full flower. It looks like a floating cloud. Glorious – for a week 🙂 x
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Beautiful images. Honey bees working through swathes of early flowering crocus is top of my list ….
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Mine too. I just wanted to hold back time yesterday. Spring whizzes by so quickly. I just wanted one or two more days to enjoy the crocus flowers. But today they have all gone. But the daphne is in flower, and the cherry trees are amazing. I just can’t keep up….. x
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It has naturalized all over New England, it is one of the first flowers we see in spring. I believe the name coltsfoot comes from the shape of the leaf, which in outline is shaped like a horse’s hoof. It was used as a tea, but has since been found to destroy the liver – yikes.
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Yikes indeed! I didn’t know that. Won’t be trying it then. Well, all my life I’ve thought it was the shape of the flower head, which does look a bit like a horses hoof, that gives it its name. Will look at the leaf when it emerges- with new eyes. Thanks for reading and getting in touch Eliza. X
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It is difficult to choose, but if I had to it would be primrose. I have never seen coltsfoot in the wild despite living all my life in the countryside. I must look out for it, do you know if it is rare?
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It’s not rare around here. Do hope you find one Brian. It is such a cheerful plant to come across on a sunny spring day. All the best. Karen
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I’m listening out for the first chiffchaff. Any day now.
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Ah, such a lovely sound. Let me know when you hear one. The skylarks were singing yesterday,for the first time this year. They were just tiny dots in the sky. It was 15 degrees here yesterday. No wonder they were singing. Hope they find a hoof shape in the mud to make a nest. Sadly, only 8 degrees today, so no singing.
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Oh I love skylarks, I could listen to them all day
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The robins are particularly noisy today, and we have blackbirds on the potting shed roof. Sadly, no thrush tapping on the tin roof to break open a snail shell. We haven’t had thrushes in the garden for about five years now. So sad.
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What beautiful, perfect captures!! 🙂 Remarkable details.
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Thank you Amy. It’s just a camera phone, so pictures are a bit hit and miss. I take about 20 and one comes out ok. Never know until I get home what I’ve got on the camera. All the best. Karen
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Spring has brought daffodils, heelibores, pulmonaria, muscari…
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Lovely! xxx
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Lovely. Daffodils and tree blossom are my spring favourites. xx
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Spring is Anemones and Tulips for me and in the UK my favourite time is when the bluebells flower.
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These are so cute! To my knowledge, they don’t grow by me. Curious, what area do you reside?
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I’m in the Midlands, uk.
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We have masses of daffodils, hellebores, and camellias
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I wish I could grow camellias. I’m just about to start work in a new garden with ericaceous soil. It’s a delight with masses of azaleas,camellias and Rhodos. Thanks for replying 🙂
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