"When Gorse is in flower kissing is in season!" There are not many months of the year when it seems gorse is not in flower but there is no doubt that it is at its best from March until May. From about November the flowers of gorse can be seen on heaths and downs but from March onwards you will be overwhelmed by the vibrant yellow flowers of the furze, a 'country' name for gorse.
The other splendid thing you notice as you walk amongst the yellow flowered bushes in the strong, unmistakable scent resembling coconut; lovely!
The 'common' gorse does not actually flower all year, it tends to take a rest in summer, but by then, in July, on dry heaths western gorse (a separate species) takes over as does the dwarf gorse (Ulex minor).
Superficially all three are very similar. Dwarf gorse is often overlooked as a young common gorse bush but it is actually a different species.
Gorse is an important plant for insects, spiders and some species of birds, notably the Dartford warbler. Too much, however, can dominate the heathers and so it has to be cleared from time to time, sometimes by controlled burning.
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