Best time to see: Mar to May

Key facts

Early-flowering creeping perennial with blue-violet, sometimes pink, flowers in loose whorls up the stems

Common along woodland edges and on hedge banks

Valuable early nectar source for bees, such as common carder bee queens and hairy-footed flower bees

Extras

Dark green leaves are kidney-shaped with long stalks

Blue-violet flowers in loose whorls at the base of the leaves

Dried leaves can be used as a tea-substitute, mixed with verbena leaves; leaves also used fresh in salads