Bluebell season shortened by drought

The much loved British Bluebell is the latest to be affected by the drought. This popular spring-time woodland event has not only seen its peak flowering period brought forward by the drought but it has also impaired the flowers’ growth.

Matthew Oates, a naturalist for the National Trust, said: "The warm and dry weather of the last few weeks has sped up the flowering process for bluebells, but the absence of rain means that visitors will need to be quick to see them – it could be a short but sweet season for bluebells and other classic spring plants like the primrose. The bluebell starts growing in January with its sole purpose to flower before the other woodland plants, but in dry conditions the bluebell will flower less, will be less abundant and its growth will be stunted."

The damaging effects of the drought on bluebells illustrates why complying with the hosepipe ban is important for preserving nature and wildlife.

Edited from The Guardian