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While the first wildflowers of spring lift our spirits and make us dream of sunnier months ahead, the winter blooms appearing on our landscape can bring cheer during the colder months. In winter, when the landscape appears barren, any sign of new life is a welcome addition. You may be surprised to learn; winter can be a surprisingly good time of year to spot some very pretty wildflowers.   Winter landscape Our gardens and countryside can look rather sparse, but when the sun comes out, if you look hard enough, you will spot the wildflowers that have been tempted out to brighten up our day. All year round in the British countryside, our wildflowers provide a vital source of habitat for wildlife and food for pollinators, such as bees. Many species of flower can be found growing all over the UK in winter, in many habitats, from fields and hedgerows to woodlands and gardens. Read on for our guide on how to spot and identify some of Britain's pretty winter wildflowers...   Sweet violet The sweet violet is Britain's only native violet that has a fragrant aroma. Always the first to flower, it appears during the winter. A bloom with a romantic reputation, sweet violet grows on the edges of woodlands. A low-growing perennial, it has heart-shaped, deep green leaves, while its flowers have five oval petals in a deep blue-violet hue. Its flowers provide nectar in early spring. In winter, it can be seen particularly around hedgerows, where older, established plants form large patches.   Alexanders Alexanders have a unique aroma that attracts pollinators. Formerly classified as a herb, it lost popularity at the dinner table in favour of celery. With the Latin name, Smyrnium Olusatrum, it is commonly found in coastal regions and is classified as an edible flowering plant. Growing to a height of around 150 cm, it has a solid stem that can become grooved with age. Normally found in hedges and on wasteland, often near the sea; its delicate yellow flowers are renowned for attracting wildlife.   Wood sorrel The wood sorrel's famous white nodding flowers often have yellow spots and pink veins at their base. It grows mainly in woodlands, often spreading over decaying branches on the ground. In the 19th century, it was used in medicine for treating scurvy due to its high content of Vitamin C. Also known as fairy bells, the flowers are very delicate and have five petals. Each flower is surrounded by three heart-shaped leaves that close at night and in harsh conditions.   Butterbur The butterbur is easily recognised by its conical pink and reddish-violet flowers, packed tightly together. They erupt through the soil, often on riverbanks, before the leaves start to expand. A perennial plant, it has heart-shaped leaves that appear after the flowers bloom. It can grow to various heights. The butterbur has male and female flowers: the male flowers are larger, at 7 cm to 12 cm high, while the female flowers are 3 cm to 6 cm tall. In both male and female plants, the flowers are unscented.   Yellow star of Bethlehem This beautiful little flower, with its green petals that open to reveal yellow blooms, is sometimes overlooked when it grows among bigger plants. This is a great shame, as it is one of the prettiest sights on the landscape as winter approaches. With a golden-yellow, star-shaped flower, it is commonly found growing in woodland. A member of the family Liliaceae, it grows in umbrella-like clusters. Growing up to 25 cm tall, the star of Bethlehem is one of Britain's most common flowers. Each stem has between one and seven yellow flowers that rise in a cluster. They fade to a pale yellow hue from their initially warm, golden-yellow shade. During the colder months, when you go for a walk, it can be a far more pleasant experience than you might imagine, as there are still flowers around to brighten up even the darkest winter days. Why not take your dog for a walk at the same time to get some welcome fresh air? Walking for pleasure isn't just reserved for spring and summer; wrap up warm and enjoy some of Britain's beautiful countryside.