Spring Bulbs for Schools Investigation results

Since October 2005, school scientists across Wales have been keeping weather records and noting when their flowers open, as part of a long-term study looking at the effects of temperature on spring bulbs. The investigation...

71 schools took part!

They posted their results on the web. Average flowering dates Weather records

The long term study… Our climate is changing and so are our seasons. Over the next years (and hopefully more) we want school scientists to show how climate change is affecting flowering times in spring bulbs. In the short term there is plenty for schools to study.

Huge thanks! Professor Plant would like to thank all of the school scientists that have sent in records this year! You are all Super Scientists!

Schools with special recognition: Maesycwmmer Primary School Bishop Childs CIW Primary School Coleg Meirion Dwyfor Laugharne VCP School Glyn Hafod Junior School Howell's School Llandaff Ysgol Iau Hen Golwyn Pembroke Dock Community School Ysgol Gynradd Brynconin Ysgol Brynffordd Stepaside Prizes: Certificates, Flowers to attract flowers butterflies and multi coloured salad seeds.

Highly commended schools: Murch Junior School Ysgol Nant Y Coed Ysgol Deganwy Ysgol Pencae Ysgol Y Ffridd Lansdowne Primary School St. Mary's Catholic Primary School Ysgol Gynradd Glantwymyn Ysgol Penycae (Ystradgynlais) Ysgol Rhys Pritchard Eyton Primary School Ysgol Bodfari Ysgol Cynfran Cwm Glas Primary Milford Haven Junior School Oakfield Primary school Tynewydd Primary School St Joseph's Primary School St. Joseph's R C Primary Windsor Clive Primary Ysgol Porth Y Felin Glyncollen Primary School Coleg Powys. Prizes: certificates, Sunflower seeds, Flowers to attract butterflies and multi coloured salad seeds.

Runner's up: Ysgol Morfa Rhianedd Ysgol Bro Ciwmeirch Ysgol Clocaenog. Prizes: £40 Amazon voucher to spend on gardening equipment.

Winners 2011 Saint Roberts Roman Catholic Primary School Prize: A day trip to St Fagans: National History Museum for a fun-packed day of nature activities. Funded by the Oakdale and Bodfach Trusts.

Summary Here is a very brief summary of the results that we have observed since You can download the results to study them for yourself at

Things to study… Visit Make graphs & frequency charts or calculate the mean. See if the flowers opened late in schools that recorded cold weather See how temperature, sunshine and rainfall affect the average flowering dates. Look for trends between different locations in Wales.

Our records show that spring 2011 was colder than in previous years. December was exceptionally cold but February and March were quite warm. Average temperature °C Nov Dec Jan Feb March All months

UK December 2010

Since we began recording spring temperatures in Wales have become colder. With 2011 being the coldest yet.

Recent winters may have been cold but our world is still heating up! With all these cold winters you may be thinking that the world is getting colder –not warmer – but this isn’t the case. Despite UK temperatures plummeting to - 22 degrees in places, globally, 2010 was the 2 nd warmest year ever recorded! Global warming is still happening and we still need to reduce our CO2 emissions.

Hours of sunshine has varied greatly over the years. Although 2011 was very cold there were over 80 hours of sunshine.

As a result, the average flowering date was late, but not as late as last year - which was 17 days later!

Results table YearCrocus flowering date Daffodil flowering date Temp. (ºC) Hours of sunshine Rainfall (mm) /0312/ /03 24/ /0307/ /0214/ /0206/ /0219/

How does the weather effect flowering times in the daffodil?

The trend shows: As temperatures get lower daffodils flower later.

What years don’t fit the trend? Ans: 2007 Possible explanation: Although the temperature was at it’s highest in 2007 the flowers opened quite late. This is likely to be because the hours of sunshine remained low until March that year.

The trend shows: As the hours of sunshine decrease daffodils open later. Sunshine seems to have a strong effect on daffodil flowering.

What years don’t fit the trend? Ans: 2011 Possible explanations: Although there was lots of sunshine in 2011 the flowers still opened quiet late. This is likely to be because the temperatures were the lowest recorded.

How does the weather effect flowering times in the crocus?

The trend shows: As temperatures get lower crocus flowers open later.

What years don’t fit the trend? Ans: 2009 Possible explanation: Although temperatures in 2009 were quiet warm the flowers opened the latest. This is likely to be because the amount sunshine was quiet low that year.

The trend shows: When there is less sunshine the crocus flowers open later.

What years don’t fit the trend? Ans: 2006 & 2011 Possible explanations: Although there wasn’t much sunshine in 2006 the flowers opened quiet early. This is likely to be because the temperature was also quiet warm. Although there was lots of sunshine in 2011 the flowers opened late. This is likely to be because the temperature was the coldest recorded.