Hundreds of Britain's native plants, including common daisies and dandelions, are flowering in the depths of winter, in what scientists describe as a clear and visible signal of climate breakdown disrupting the natural world.
A Botanical Anomaly: Far Exceeding Expectations
The startling phenomenon was recorded during the annual New Year Plant Hunt organised by the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI). In 2025, volunteer citizen scientists recorded a remarkable 310 native plant species in bloom across the country during the festive period.
This figure dramatically surpasses the roughly 10 species that would typically be expected to flower at this time of year in the UK. When non-native species are included, the total number of flowering plants counted soared to 646.
The Direct Link to Rising Temperatures
Experts from the Met Office have conducted a detailed analysis of data from the plant hunt over the past nine years. Their findings reveal an undeniable correlation: for every 1°C increase in temperature at a given location during the preceding November and December, an extra 2.5 species were found in bloom during the New Year period.
Kevin Walker, a scientist at the BSBI, stated that this widespread winter blooming acts as a "visible signal" of climate change that people can observe in their own gardens and local parks. "This new analysis shows a very clear link between rising temperatures and impacts on our plant species," Walker said. "This is yet further evidence that climate change is affecting our wildlife indiscriminately."
Early 2026 Findings and the Bigger Picture
Early results from the 2026 hunt, which began recently, continue to show the same pattern. Familiar wildflowers like daisies and dandelions remain on the list of natives flowering unexpectedly. Non-native species observed include Mexican fleabane and both white and red dead-nettles.
This botanical shift occurs against a backdrop of a rapidly warming planet. Fossil fuel pollution has already heated the globe by an average of about 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels, intensifying weather extremes and destabilising habitats. The Met Office confirmed last week that 2025 was likely the UK's hottest year on record.
Debbie Hemming, a vegetation expert at the Met Office, emphasised the significance of the plant hunt data. She described it as "tangible evidence" that climate breakdown is directly altering the environment around us. "These findings underscore how rising temperatures and increasing climate extreme events are shifting the natural cycles of our plants and wildlife," Hemming concluded.
