Spring wildflowers

In April and May, our ancient woodlands are awash with the much-loved, nodding heads of the Bluebell. Millions of bulbs can exist in just one wood, giving rise to the 'blue carpets' that are a springtime joy.

Surrey's county flower and one of our most familiar spring flowers, the cowslip brightens up ancient meadows and woodlands with its egg-yolk-yellow, nodding blooms. Look out for stunning displays of this beautiful flower on Cowslip Meadow, Sheepleas.

A spring delight, the wood anemone grows in dappled shade in ancient woodlands. Traditional management, such as coppicing, can help such flowers by opening up the woodland floor to sunlight.

The Early Purple Orchid is one of the first orchids to pop up in spring. Look for its pinkish-purple flowers from April, when bluebells still carpet our woodland floors. Its leaves are dark green with dark spots.

In mild years, the spring-flowering primrose can appear as early as December. Look out for its pretty, creamy-yellow flowers in woodlands and grasslands.

Heralding spring, a carpet of sunshine-yellow Lesser Celandine flowers is a joy to see on a woodland walk. Look out for it along hedgerows, in parks and even in graveyards, too, from March onwards.

Our most familiar wild violet, the Common Dog-violet can be spotted in a range of habitats from woodland to grassland, hedgerows to pastures. Its pansy-like, purple flowers appear from April to June.

In April and May, our ancient woodlands are awash with the white, starry flowers and garlic smell of Ramsons. Millions of bulbs can exist in just one wood, giving rise to dazzling 'white carpets'.

As the Bluebells fade, Yellow Archangel takes its turn to impress, with golden-yellow flowers carpeting our ancient woodlands. Although it is from the dead-nettle family, it does not sting.

The bright rose-red flowers of red campion brighten up roadsides, woodlands and hedges throughout the summer. Just as the bluebells finish flowering in our woodlands, red campion starts to come into bloom. If they grow side-by-side for a few weeks, they can turn a woodland floor into an amazing sea of pink and blue.
Red campion is a perennial plant, which means it can live for a number of years, growing and blooming in spring and summer, and dying back in autumn.

Cuckooflower, also commonly known as 'Lady's-smock', is a pretty, springtime perennial of damp, grassy places like wet meadows, ditches and riverbanks, as well as roadside verges. Its pale pink flowers bloom from April to June and are thought to coincide with the arrival of the first Cuckoo - a sure sign that spring has arrived at last.