With spring arriving in spectacular clouds of white and pastel-pink blooms, the National Trust’s annual blossom season celebrations have returned.
Running for a fifth year #BlossomWatch encourages people everywhere to celebrate the beauty of blossom and bask in the sights and scents of spring.
Inspired by the Japanese tradition of ‘Hanami‘, (which literally translates to ‘flower viewing’), the National Trust is encouraging people of all ages to pause and take a moment to appreciate the temporary beauty of blossom that can be found in orchards, gardens, hedgerows and city parks.
Each month during spring, there are different blossoms to spot. In March and April, look for clouds of white and pink blooms from apples, pears, plums and damsons. Pink cherry blossoms join the show in April, while hawthorns and rowans close the seasons in May and June with delicate white flowers.
The charity is inviting people everywhere to join in with the celebrations by sharing their blossom images on social media and using the hashtag #BlossomWatch to help everyone enjoy this seasonal spectacle together.
As part of the National Trust’s commitment to tackle the climate crisis and nature depletion, the conservation charity plans to plant and establish 20 million trees across England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2030, with around four million of these being blossoming trees. Fruit trees and new traditional orchards are being planted at National Trust places, while native and historic varieties such as blackthorn and hawthorn will be chosen to support nature in other spaces.
Working with communities, the National Trust is also continuing its ambition to bring blossom back to urban spaces, by bringing people together to enjoy blossom and increasing access to nature.
Between March and May, dedicated blossom events will be taking place at over 100 locations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. From National Trust orchards, to city centres, the blossom-themed events will encourage visitors to enjoy this annual spectacle with activities, artworks, picnics, games, walks, performances and more.
Here’s where you can see some of the best displays of blossom at a National Trust place near you:
Lincolnshire
Belton Estate
Designed to impress, the gardens at Belton reflect the refined tastes of generations of the Brownlow family from the early eighteenth century, right up to the twentieth century. Engage your senses in the Dutch Gardens with a walk through an avenue of blossom and sweet fragrance. The Prunus Cherry Trees will be in blossom, as well as the Syringa Lilac Trees, framing Belton House with pastel colours and a fresh scent. A trip to Belton in the spring isn’t complete without a photo here.
Woolsthorpe Manor
In the orchard at Woolsthorpe Manor the National Trust are custodians of a very special apple tree. Yes, the very tree from which an apple fell and caused Newton to ask the question: ‘Why do apples always fall straight down to the ground?’ People have been coming to visit the tree and the manor house at Woolsthorpe ever since Newton’s time. Today the tree is pruned regularly to keep it healthy; it continues to grow and bear blossom and fruit. A low barrier has been installed around it to protect the root run and give it some ‘breathing space’. It’s a ‘Flower of Kent’ apple tree, a traditional variety, which produces cooking apples which are green with a red flush, of varying sizes.
Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens
From beautiful Magnolia to an abundance of fruit trees and cherry blossom, the arrival of spring blossom is one of Gunby Garden’s highlights. From mid-April onwards visitors can explore the ‘Blossom Trail’ around the gardens and learn all about the beautiful blossom trees. Take a photo under the blossom trees and simply relax; slow down and enjoy the signs of new life. Connecting with nature, even for a few minutes gives us an escape from the stresses of daily life and gives us the space to gather our thoughts. Gather the family and have a picnic under the blossom, practise mindfulness or blossom bathe (you ask for a rug at the house ticket station). Join in and share your photos on social media using #BlossomWatch.
Nottinghamshire
Clumber Park
Blossom is one of the first indicators of spring, and people and nature see it as a herald of warmer and longer days after the winter months. At Clumber Park, the Glasshouse is in bloom as the peach trees blossom, and a crocheted flower display will add a burst of colour to the central conservatory from late April.
Following the reintroduction of the Duke’s Orchard in 2021, the fruit trees, with the surrounding wildflower meadow and hedgerow, will blossom into midsummer.
Clumber’s Blossom Week will run from 20 – 27 April and celebrations include pop-up floristry sessions, poetry and storytelling workshops and seasonal crafts for younger visitors.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.