March is a month of hidden gems in London’s gardens, and among the most captivating are the small irises that bloom in a stunning array of colors and scents. From the deep violet-scented Iris reticulata to the vivid yellow I. danfordiae and the mysterious green-and-black I. tuberosa, these delicate flowers bring a touch of magic to the early spring landscape. But irises aren’t the only stars of the show—other garden plants like Leopard’s bane, Brunnera, and Hepatica are also making their debut, adding texture and color to borders and beds.
Join us on 14 March as we explore the world of small irises and other early-blooming garden plants in London. Discover the fascinating history of the snakeshead iris, learn how to identify the different varieties of Iris reticulata, and uncover the medieval mysteries of Leopard’s bane. We’ll also guide you to the best places to see these plants in their full glory, from private gardens to naturalized patches across the city.
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Stoat and Weasel
Weasels also go a-courting this month. In their case, there is a good deal of chasing, writhing and general gymnastics as well as an occasional bark from the male. He eventually bites the back of her neck which causes her to fall limp and then copulation occurs. Both stoats and weasels are pregnant this month, the eggs of the weasel implanting on the wall of the uterus soon after copulation. In the case of the stoat, there is a delayed implantation. Copulation may have taken place as long ago as last summer but only now does her uterus accept the egg to develop further. Stoats can have their kittens in late March, but weasels generally wait until April. Otters can have their whelps any month of the year but March is a preferred time.
Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are usually late to come out of their hibernation. This is often April outside London, but can be as early as the first week of March in inner areas. After feeding, they also soon turn to courting. This can be quite a noisy affair, with the males ‘snorting’ carrying some distance. There is also some rivalry between suitors, with males trying to roll each other over and head butt their opponents. When dominance has been achieved, the victor then circles the female perhaps for several hours before copulating with her. The whole activity is fraught with problems and, to avoid the obvious ones, she prostrates herself with her spines down, allowing the male to mount her. After this risky procedure, the male is once again content to wander off, leaving her to raise their family alone.
Moles
Female moles are now busily building their football size nests. They come to the surface to collect grass, leaves and sometimes even newspaper, which they then weave together into a ball underground. The nest itself is situated within a maze of curling tunnels. When looking for females, males tend to excavate straight tunnels and use more surface runs. Whilst on the surface, they are highly vulnerable to predators such as owls, as they emerge mainly at night. Viewing from the surface alone, an extra large molehill at this time of year could well indicate there is a nest under construction below.
