Wild Flowers

This Holly tree was a real picture last weekend, covered with bright red berries in lovely sunshine against a blue sky. Does this mean it will be another hard winter, even in the far south west of Britain?

Insight into Holly (Ilex aquifolium): the berries are only found on female trees and are an important winter food resource for birds (the fruit is toxic to humans).

Holly is evergreen so it also provides good shelter in winter.

Folklore suggests a harsh winter follows if Holly berries are abundant. Watch this space!