'There are numerous legends about violets, including that they were created by Venus beating a group of women, her rivals for beauty, until they were blue! '

Andrew Chapman looks at the history and folklore of spring flowers for the coming season.

Click the flower names for links to more information.

Bluebell
The English bluebell is a member of the Hyacinth family, native to the British Isles and western France. A woodland carpet of bluebells is one of the quintessential signs of spring.

In his poem May Magnificat, Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote "And azuring-over greybell makes/Wood banks and brakes wash wet like lakes".

The Spanish bluebell is increasingly common and there has been some concern that hybrids of the two varieties may ultimately take over. Bluebells are held to be a symbol of constancy and kindness.

Crocus
Crocuses are a symbol of cheerfulness and mirth. They grow naturally from the Aegean sea across to central Asia. The spice saffron comes from the stamens of one particular species, and the name comes from the Latin 'crocatus', meaning saffron yellow.

Crocuses are in the iris family, though they do not resemble other members. There are around 100 species, 30 of them cultivated, varying in colour from white and yellow through to lilac and mauve. The autumn crocus is a different plant, from the lily family. In weather lore, an open crocus is held to indicate warm weather, and a closed one cold.

Daffodil
Daffodils, in the genus Narcissus (though not all narcissi are daffodils), come in a variety of yellows and oranges, but also pink and lime green. They are among the first flowers to bloom in spring.

One specific variety is sometimes known as jonquils, from the Spanish name. Daffodils are the national flower of Wales, and are believed to represent chivalry or respect. Marie Curie Cancer Care holds a Daffodil Week in March.

The name Narcissus comes from Greek, referring to the narcotic properties of the plant (hence the association with legend of self-loving Narcissus). The flowers were first cultivated by the Romans. Prince Charles, as Duke of Cornwall, is paid one daffodil annually as rent for the unattended lands of Scilly. Daffodils are now being grown for galanthine, which may help in tackling Alzheimer's disease.

Primose
The primrose, from the family of Primula, comes in four species (though there are more than 500 primula species) and originates in China.

Although we think of them as yellow, their flowers can also be purple, red, pink or white. Their name comes from their being the first or prime 'rose' to flower in the year. Evening primroses are from a different family altogether, but cowslips or marsh marigolds are in the same one. Their name supposedly comes from their growing in rocky streams on which cows would slip when crossing.

In the Victorian 'language if flowers', primroses signify early youth. The flowers can be made into jam and wine, and were used in the past to treat paralysis and gout. They are still used for treating rheumatism and insomnia.

Snowdrop
The common snowdrop or galanthus is a genus of the Lily family consisting of about 20 species. They are the first bulbs to flower in spring.

Relatives include the Crimean and the giant snowdrop, growing around twice as tall as the common variety. It is regarded as a symbol of consolation and hope. It was also believed to be unlucky to bring a single snowdrop into a house. The flower is also known as Eve's tears, February fair maid, and dewdrop. According to folklore, it flowers on Candlemas.

Renowned woodland 'snowdrop walks' include those at Hodsock Priory in Nottinghamshire, and among the ruins of Walsingham Priory in Norfolk. Hans Christian Anderson wrote a children's tale about the snowdrop.

Tulip
Tulips came to us from Persia (they are still the national flower of both Iran and Turkey), where they were cultivated over a thousand years ago.

A Persian legend says thay sprang from the drops of blood shed by a lover. They first came to England in the 16th century, and then in the 17th century the much-documented 'tulipmania' took off, particularly in Holland and France. In some places in the 1630s, they became worth their weight in gold. Alexandre Dumas' novel The Black Tulip is set in these times. Yet in some parts of the world even in modern times, tulip bulbs have also been eaten in times of famine.

The name 'tulip' is a misuse of the Persian word for turban. They are in the genus Tulipa in the lily family, Liliaceae. There are around 100 species.

Violet
Violets belong to the Violaceae family, with more than 400 species worldwide (African violets are unrelated).

The common violet of the English countryside is the sweet violet (viola odorata), Britain's only native species. Young leaves are edible and rich in vitamins, although eating large quantities of the seeds or roots can lead to stomach upset or breathing difficulties. There are numerous legends about violets, including that they were created by Venus beating a group of women, her rivals for beauty, until they were blue!

They are associated with modesty, and are the true flower of Valentine's Day - in prison, St Valentine wrote to his loved ones with ink made from their flowers. The Romans made wine from the flowers, and they have been used down the ages in cosmetics.