I am going to join in with Dawn’s Festival of Spring which will last for 10 -12 weeks in celebration of this season and share something that is happening in or around my neighbourhood each week.
Gorse (Ulex europaeus): There are three types of gorse in the UK which are all very similar. Common Gorse is widespread and mainly flowers from January to June, Western Gorse flowers in later summer and autumn and is mainly found in western parts of the UK; whereas Dwarf Gorse, which also flowers later, is mainly found in the south and east of England and is absent from Ireland.
Cornwall in Colours 
It sounds amazing. I’d like the coconut blooms and the foliage looks a bit like rosemary.
The foliage is very sharp!
What an interesting looking flower. I love seeing these things that are foreign to me.
there is a saying “When gorse is out of bloom, kissing is out of season”. When the sun shines bright, the flowers smell of a heady aroma of coconut and vanilla. Truly lovely, though you don’t want to get caught in those spikes.
My that does sound nice (except for the spikes). 🙂
No visible gorse here in Rome but I remember it being very splendid on the north east coast and in Wales 🤗💟
There is a lot in Cornwall, in the Cornish hedges and on the moors and downs. Hope Rome was a success.
Will message later. Any news at yours? 🤗💟
Gosh, you’re quite the connoisseur. For me, gorse is gorse is gorse.
Another fascinating fact. Explains why I see gorse flowering at different times of the year. It has been beautiful so far this year.
Yes. The early flowering one is just finishing here.
Well now you’ve explained a lot, Jude. I have wondered why gorse always seems to be in flower somewhere. As to its prickliness, I was recently surprised, that it, like holly was used as winter fodder for farmstock. A bit of treading seems to make both plants edible, which is pretty hard to believe if you’ve ever had a close encounter with either of them.
Not a shrub you want to mess with!
Absolutely not!
Kissing is out of season when the gorse is out of bloom…
😘
Never seen it before, but it’s lovely.
Very much a part of UK moors and downs and heathland. There is a lot in Cornwall.
Ah, that is such a strong childhood memory for me. There was lots of gorse (known locally as ‘whins’) in the fields around us. A large patch near the house were growing in pretty much a deep ring with an empty centre. This was a ‘bield’ or shelter for the sheep – it made a great kids’ hideout too!
Interesting. A very prickly hideout though.
LOL, not so bad for young kids!
Gorse if the main plant seen over on Hoe Rough. It can look very nice from a distance, but the thorns/spikes are fierce!
Best wishes, Pete. x
True. You don’t want to land in one!