Mindful Walk

Walking anywhere with a child brings to life myriad opportunities to wonder at the world around us. I walked alone the other morning, but determined to enjoy a mindful walk, experiencing the environment as I passed. Just a short walk, but many things caught my attention.

Bluebells

The bluebells seem to be having a good year. From woodlands to verges, their delicate flowers punctuate the greenery with colour. I spotted blue, pink, and white clusters as I went.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

I find it increasingly difficult to distinguish between the native bluebell, and the Spanish version. The latter introduced by Victorians as a garden plant, but one which – by 1909 – had ‘escaped’ to grow over the wall.

In the ancient woodland which forms part of the nature reserve near here, native bluebells grow. In fact, over 50% of the world’s bluebell population reside in UK woodland. But the native species is under threat from the more vigorous Spanish variety. The Spanish bluebell outcompetes for resources such as light and space, taking over the traditional patches of the native bluebell. The two varieties have also created fertile hybrid versions, which host a mixture of characteristics from both. A study by Plantlife found that 1 in 6 broadleaf woodlands actually home hybrid bluebells.

Olfactory Test

Out of interest, I retraced my short walk, and also visited the woods, to check the bluebells. One of the distinguishing features of native flowers is their scent. Spanish bluebells have no scent. Both the woodland, and the verge bluebells I encountered had the distinct sweet smell of bluebell. Other signs of a native bluebell include having flowers down one side of the stem, drooping stems, cream coloured pollen, and petals which curl back at their tips.

Spanish bluebells have flowers all around the stem, no scent, and grow upright. Their pollen is blue, or pale green.

I remain to be convinced that the flowers I saw were full native bluebells. Some of the stems seemed quite straight, and the petals had less of a curl than I recall from past years. To add to the confusion, both types come in pink and white versions as well as blue. The clusters I photographed were of all three colours. But the scent is compelling evidence that they are not Spanish bluebells, so they are perhaps one of the hybrid varieties.

Cherry Laurel

The cherry laurel seems to be appreciating the mixed rain and shine weather. Introduced to the UK by Carolus Clusius, who brought it from Constantinople in 1576, the plant is now naturalised (survives without human intervention) in the UK. Incidentally, Clusius, the botanist who brought the cherry laurel to the UK, is also known for introducing the tulip to the Netherlands.

The laurel flowers are racemes. That is, separate clusters of flowers which grow from stalks attached to a central stem. A fast grower and low maintenance, the laurel is often seen edging front gardens, offering privacy as well as shielding from noise.

Chinese Wisteria

Introduced to Britain in 1816, by John Reeves (who worked for the East India Company as Chief Inspector of Tea at Canton), Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria Sinensis) belongs to the pea family.

Although similar to the popular Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria Floribunda), the Chinese version has shorter flowers, which are usually lilac coloured. Both varieties may be blue, violet, or white in colour. But only the Japanese Wisteria comes in pink. A certain way to distinguish between the two is to note the direction in which the plant twines. The Japanese plant climbs clockwise, whereas the Chinese one goes anti-clockwise.

Wisteria has been around for a while … fossils dating back at least 7 million years have been found in China!

Other Thoughts

During my mindful walk, there was plenty to hear as well as see. Wood pigeons clapped their wings as they rose from the trees – clapping is part of the courtship display used by male birds, as well as a means of increasing altitude quickly. Great tits were in full song – most already have their first of two broods this the year. Magpies called raucously as they returned to their treetop domed nests.

Blossom was strewn like confetti across pavements, which were populated by slugs and worms enjoying the water left by recent rainfall. Buttercups reached upwards towards sunshine which wasn’t there. And clear puddles reflected the light of the clouds back towards the sky.

A short walk to the local shops offered much to appreciate through paying close attention to my senses. The aim now must be to apply the mindful approach in more of what I do. Appreciating the moment and the environment, rather than feeding the anxiety of ‘to do’ lists and deadlines. The lists will be done, and deadlines met. It’s important to enjoy the journey.