THE SEASON

‘How can I number the worlds to which the eye gives me entry? – the world of light, of colour, of shape, of shadow: of mathematical precision in the snowflake, the ice formation, the quartz crystal, the patterns of stamen and petal’
Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain

HEAD TO THE WOODS

Sweet violets

There are plenty of bulbs due to pop into bright floral colour at this time of year, from tulips and muscari to crocus and daffodils. But keep your eyes peeled for a less showy number in Britain’s woodlands. Spring brings us the wild and native sweet