N'er cast a clout

[Really Ancien]

'til May be out. The warm weather a fortnight ago brought out the May (Hawthorn flowers) since then it's been cool and breezy. The result has been that they haven't been pollinated and are turning pink, a fairly rare occurence. The Hawthorn here in Central Lancashire came out very strongly and the pink flowers are an extraordinary sight, especially in contrast to the flowers which are still white. There is also the heady smell, which is an imitation of rotting flesh to attract flies. What are they like where you are?

Damon.

P.S. the phrase N'er cast a clout 'til May be out, means that you shouldn't take your vest off until the Hawthorn has flowered, it usually being a reliable indicator of rising average temperatures.

[Fi]

We're in Surrey: the one at the end of the road (on a little bit of rough ground in a corner) has flowered, smelled and dropped all its blossom.  But it was lovely while it lasted.

[rogerzilla]

Is the smell anything like dead badger? 

I think my roses are going to bloom before June this year; the progress of the season can normally be measured to within a week by  flowers:

Third week in April: cherry tree blossom
Second week in May: bluebells
First of June: roses and lupins
Third week of June: the enormous pot of lilies on our patio
First of July: honeysuckle gets going

By August it's all looking a bit sun-bleached and tired, except the roses.  I always forget to plant gladioli for September.

[nuttycyclist]

I think my roses are going to bloom before June this year

My roses are out already.  As per most years.

[Really Ancien]

The Hawthorn is still blooming and is going like this.

The effect on an individual plant is like this.

The effect across a whole overgrown hedgerow is astonishing.

Damon.

[rogerzilla]

My roses are out already.  As per most years.

You must have a slightly warmer climate.  We're bang on the RHS Wisley average for the progress of the seasons.

[Really Ancien]

Hawthorn flowers are carried on last years growth, the wet 2007 gave ideal conditions for that growth, hence the profusion of flowers on our local May trees. I have done a short 1.10 min  video in celebration. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/2YYvUYrLh0M&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/2YYvUYrLh0M&rel=1</a> low def   <a href="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1055583&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=01AAEA" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1055583&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=01AAEA</a> high definition
        
Damon.

[Regulator]

I think my roses are going to bloom before June this year

My roses are out already.  As per most years.

Mine have been out for a couple of weeks as well.  A great mass of blooms this year