Rattled Snakeshead

Recent days have followed a pattern of cooler, windy, cloudy and showery weather. When the sun comes through it has felt quite warm but only in sheltered positions.
Today follows the trend with some sun but an increasing breeze developing and spells of showers with hailstones.

The onset of spring is really showing in the garden as leaves of deciduous plants emerge from winter buds.
The Hawthorn now has a green appearance as young leaves unfold and mask the twiggy branches. The garden Crab Apple leaves are showing with closed flower buds at the centre of each cluster. The Common Box Buxus sempervirens has flowered, providing an early nectar source for early Hover flies, and are putting on their new seasons growth. The new foliage is a fresh light green which contrasts against the older dark foliage.
The Snakeshead Lily Fritillaria meleagris planted last year have performed well and are begining to naturalize in the slightly boggy area near the pond. The large bell shaped flowers are getting rattled from the shower of hailstones so it's a good thing I took a picture earlier today.