Blackthorn
A couple of weeks ago I had intended blipping a photo of blackthorn when we had cold weather and snow but the flowers were still in tight buds. There is frequently a spell of cold wintry weather in spring when blackthorn flowers and an old country saying is “Beware the Blackthorn Winter.” Probably in much of Britain the white flowers of blackthorn were out when the weather turned cold again as it did at the beginning of April and snow fell over much of the country.  
Blackthorn flowers before the leaves unfurl unlike the Whitethorn, normally known as May, whose leaves appear before the flowers.  The flowers eventually become small dark blue fruits called sloes, which are often used in making of a type of gin.   Hopefully soon the May blossom will be out with the present warmer weather but “ Ne’er cast a clout till May is out”  - don’t discard warm clothes till May flowers, or the month of May is out.