A sure sign that we’ve had an unusually mild winter is the appearance of the pussy blossom buds in January.
Richmond landscaper Don Pitcairn sent this lovely shot of a willow tree at a property on Cooney Road getting ready to bloom.
“The winter has been quite mild except for that one cold snap, but the earliest I've seen (pussy blossoms) is usually late February, early March,” said Pitcairn.
“It’s a sure sign of spring. Keep an eye open for crocus and daffodils, plus cherry blossoms.”
The willow’s so-called “pussy blossoms” appear long before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs of spring.