Old Mans Beard. Clematis vitalba

A local walk took us past a patch of Old Mans Beard rambling over a hedge. The afternoon winter sunshine created a memorable display in January.

As part of efforts to prepare a local guide to nearby Wildlife Trust nature reserves we drove to near Stoke St Mary to find the Thurlbeer Wood reserve. Approaching along narrow country lanes we found extensive displays of Old Mans Beard in the hedge rows.

 These two photos were taken at the entrance to the Trusts Thurlbeer Wood reserve.

 At the northern entrance to the wood is the display board.

It seems to have been an exceptional year for this clematis with views like these in many locations at least in South Somerset.
As you walk into the wood you find clearings such as the one in the photo below where the Hazel and other small trees have been cleared to make an open space

 This reserve is an important and well managed entry in our reserves leaflet.