Blossom TIME!

Revel in the sight and scents of spring-blossoming trees and shrubs

- CHRIS MORLEY

Fancy froth

You know spring is well and truly here when trees and shrubs burst into clouds of pink and white blossom, and buzz with bees and pollinators taking their fill of nectar. Blossom-watching is a long-held tradition in countries such as Japan. The National Trust is celebrating its Blossom Watch Day this year on 23 April. If you like the idea of growing your own blossom, here’s some inspiration.

Cherry picking

Ornamental cherry trees (Prunus) are famously heavy with blossom, and come in varying shapes and sizes to suit every garden.

Ideal for a narrow space, the flagpole cherry, ‘Amanogawa’ AGM, has an upright, slim profile, sweetly scented pink blossoms, and young green leaves with bronze tints. In autumn, the foliage glows yellow-orange. It’s very slow-growing, reaching 8x4m (HxS) in 20-50 years.