Hawthorn in flower in the garden in April 2011
It’s April and the Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) has blossomed early this year, along with many flowers in the garden. Apparently this is because of the very hard midwinter followed by a very mild spell in February and March. In April we have had glorious sunshine for most of the time.
Hawthorn is also known as “may” because it does usually come into bloom in that month and the country hedges foam with the white flowers. It is also fragrant and you can smell it through open car windows as you drive through country lanes.
But the hawthorn is not the only flower in my garden that has a frothy appearance. There seems to be a theme going on in nature at the moment – lots of tiny flowers and sometimes an unexpected and heady perfume. Here are some other delicate delights from my garden…
Delicate cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) in the shade...
The Choisya ternata (Mexican orange blossom) also froths...
Green on green - little flowers of Euonymus alatus - this tree's main attraction is its autumn-red leaves...
I have never noticed holly flowers before...
Flowers of laurel...
A miniature lilac (Syringa microphylla)...
Misty blue... Ceanothus or Californian lilac
The tiny chocolate-brown flowers of Pittosporum give off a surprising scent like jasmine that hangs on the spring air...
Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) also has a strong perfume...
Bluebells - I would love to think this is the native British bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, but I think it has now been thoroughly interbred with the more robust Spansh version, Hyacinthoides hispanica...
The naming of hawthorn as “may” has led to some “old wives’ tale” confusion. I remember almost every year in my childhood, at this time of year when I threatened to go to school without my coat, my father would say, “Ne’er cast a clout till may be out”. A “clout” is a piece of cloth or clothing.
I know he was thinking it meant wait until the month of May is over, but later I realised it was advice more closely attuned to nature. It means it’s not warm enough to leave your coat off until it’s warm enough for the hawthorn to come into flower.
Certainly warm enough this year…
The Squirrelbasket 
I can smell the sweetness in the air, but will need to wait a few weeks before they are in my backyard…
I just love your site..I love how you post the most beautiful pictures and such a way with the words..I can almost smell the Hawthorne..a fond memory of visitation with my Nana and Papa. Here in the States I have Confedrate Jasmin growing outside the master bedroon and the perfume consumes me and it takes over just after the flowering of the orange groves. Happy gardening..your weed by choice..kjforce