A joyful sign of the start of Autumn.

Autumn crocuses. Colchicums. Crocus nudiflorus, commonly known as Naked Ladies although I can see no resemblance to those and I have some experience at recognising them. But I believe they are so called because the flowers come up first and the leaves follow later. They originate in the hills of southern and central Europe and itis thought they were brought to England by Cluniac monks who founded Lenton Priory near Nottingham.

These are growing in the small public garden which welcomes people arriving in our village.