Early daffodils 'quite amazing'

Mr Bland said warm weather could cause plants to flower early

A Bristol naturalist has called the appearance of some daffodils on a plot of land in the city as "quite amazing".

Richard Bland said the garden variety of the scented daffodil would normally flower in late February or early March.

"They have been stimulated into growth by the warm weather last week. They are in a sheltered spot and have absorbed the warmth from the nearby buildings."

Mr Bland said warm weather could bring plants into flower early and has also extended the autumn flowering season.

He added: "Last week it was about three degrees warmer than normal, with temperatures around 12C.

"The flowers have bloomed in a sheltered spot which is close to the nearby buildings. They absorb the heat and re-radiate it.

"There are three species of wild flower up by the Clifton Suspension Bridge which are autumn plants which have come back into flower because it was so warm."