blackthorn winter

[Thunderbird+]

It could be an animals & nature question but ill give it a go here first. I was talking with some work collegues about the weather and nature in general and I remarked on how in some years, I had noticed the blackthorn bushes had been blossoming as early in February but this year this did not happen until April, this is when I had a vague recollection of the Phrase or saying" A Blackthorn Winter" Can anyone enlighten me on this, is it part of a saying that predicts a good or bad summer ?

[B00]

not sure if it's any help but i did find this on a website....

Unfortunately, blackthorn is often encouraged into bloom by a spell of warm February weather, only for the blossoms to be frosted and spoiled when wintry conditions return. The phrase �blackthorn winter� is thought to refer to both a period of inclement weather experienced at this time, and to the snowy appearance of the pure white flowers on the dark hedgerows.

[Thunderbird+]

Thanks BOO, thats perfect, I knew I'd heared that somewhere. Cheers