What a magnificent display of blossom we enjoyed this spring. Indeed, the colour was far more vibrant and lush for many a year.

Scientists tell us that instead of a protracted mild winter such as we’ve experienced in recent years when trees responded more slowly, our lengthy cold winter held back movement until a sudden spell of warm April weather rapidly released the pent up energy of our flora creating a wonderful spectacle.

Even horse chestnuts fought back splendidly from their annual autumnal hideously scarring leaf miner attack with a gorgeous array of white or very occasionally hybrid red candles. True conkering heroes.

Dear to my heart is lilac as it was the first tree I climbed as a boy in my parents’ garden. Now growing wild, lilac was introduced from Eastern Europe in 1621.

Blackthorn performed well providing a rich, early nectar source and elderflowers too augur well for my favourite tipple, elderflower presse.

But perhaps the most spectacular display belonged to the strongly scented, dazzling frothy white cascades of hawthorn or May.

Most of us recall that old nursery rhyme Here we come, gathering nuts in May. Nuts in May? Surely not – they don’t ripen until autumn. However, “nuts” is a corruption of “knots”, referring to the tightly-furled hawthorn buds the country children used to eat.

The fresh leaves were relished and called “bread and cheese”, having a pleasant, nutty taste.

They also make a useful addition to salads.