Fruit tree blossom North Fife

Comice Pear Blossom.

'Doyenne du Comice' is a popular dessert pear with a fine flavour that was introduced from France in 1849. Pears flower two to four weeks earlier than apples and need slightly warmer conditions. The variety 'Concorde' makes a good pollination partner. All pears are grafted on rootstocks which affect their size and vigour, and may be trained in a number of different shapes. Pruning depends on the tree form and vigour of the rootstock, and should be checked in a handbook. 'Doyenne du Comice' should be picked in October while still firm and stored until November before eating. Last year the blossom was meagre yet produced a few fruit proving there must be a pollinator near by.

Sweet Cherry, never before have I seen such profusion of blossom on this tree. Last year it produced a lot of fruit mainly bird food, the buggers take it just before we would. If it all sets then we can share.

Narcissus north fife

We've had a good few days of sunshine, giving rise to flowers, daffodils are a plenty littered about are narcissus though fewer in number, more delicate.

Blackthorn North Fife

I know it's spring when Blackthorn blossom is on show, along with Cherry plum it is the first to show. If the weather is warm enough for germinating insects there will be a good harvest of Sloe Berries.
Blackthorn hedging (Prunus spinosa) is the perfect barrier for keeping wandering pets or unwanted visitors at bay due to its dark strong thorns and prickly appearance. Hugely attractive to birds and wildlife, the Blackthorn hedge produces beautiful white flowers in the early spring, followed by Sloe berries that ripen to a deep purple in autumn.

Here in the hedge rows by the roadside emerging from the winter dormancy clumps of Blackthorn stand out.

Amazing profusion.

North Fife 5th April 2014

A view of the The River Tay at Newburgh on the 5th April, North Fife, tranquil and still, the rolling clouds threatening rain which did fall intermittently.

Four of my hens sat the rain out, you know, done enough, scratched here and there, got their fill and were content.