February in translation is the first month of spring; this is becoming truer as the changing climate is causing more flowers to bloom earlier. A number of the early flowering plants are essentially woodland species, their strategy is to make use of the relatively free space below the tree canopy and use what sunlight is available before the trees are fully in leaf. There is also a great deal of protection from the ravages of wind and rain under the trees.

Snowdrops should be well into flower by now and the white ‘drifts’ enrich many woodland walks.  There are a number of fine sites about the Island, at Braust Farm, for example, there is a variety of species. On the approach to Sarah’s Cottage, there is an old farm lying beside the Creg Willy Syl (William Sylvester’s rock), this is referred to incorrectly as (Creg Willy’s Hill), on the bank below this farm, there is also a good clump of snowdrops. This month, many places, usually at the base of roadside hedges, will have the familiar yellow buttercup like flowers coming into bloom, Lesser Celandine – Lus mlainyn (herb of the stomach – probably an old remedy for a ‘belly ache’) resembles, but is not a member of the buttercup family. The small white flowers of Barren strawberry – Soo hallooin gennish can also be seen on the hedges, taking advantage of winter bareness and before the spring and summer flush of growth. One of the gardeners nightmares should also be in flower, Hairy bittercress, if the ripe seed pods are brushed, the seeds will fly off in all directions, very spectacular.Pussy willows should be just appearing late February, Willow – Shellagh is a species that has many varieties growing in Mann, these species hybridise and consequently there can be numerous different shapes, sizes and colours of catkins, male and female.

The garden Crocus – Crocys should be ‘well up’, Erinville garden on the approach to Kirk Michael is hard to beat for a show of colour. I also think that there will be Daffodils – Lus ny n’guiy out by now, I believe there were some out at Christmas!

February 1st is St Bridget’s Day and it was tradition in Ireland to make St Bridget’s Crosses, Crosh Vreeshey.  These were fashioned from rushes, the Soft rush, Juncus effusus, Shuin or Leaghyr.  Traditionally, rushes were used in Mann for thatching, rush lights, etc. crosses could well have been made too.  The traditional use of rushes, that most people are familiar with, is the strewing of rushes on the pathway from the church to Tynwald hill on Tynwald day.  I know many people who collect them on the day and keep them for luck.

John ‘Dog’