Home & Garden
10 May 2022
Prunus serrulata including cultivar ‘Pink Perfection’ make Brindley Place in Birmingham ideal for taking a break during the work day. Photo credit National Trust Images, Paul Harris
Today’s spring equinox (20 March) sees the start of the National Trust’s annual Blossom campaign, which is aimed at encouraging Brits to get outdoors to enjoy this fleeting moment of spring.
After the dank, grey and often cold start to the year, head gardeners at the National Trust are predicting a more ‘typical’ year for nature’s free mood-lifting spectacle – and research coinciding with the campaign confirms how important it is to our day-to-day lives.
‘The majority of blossoming trees burst into flower before the leaves unfurl which is why it’s so noticeable and is what makes blossom one of nature’s most stunning displays – even more so after the grey and long winter we’ve experienced. After the native blackthorn bursts forth, it’s the cherry plum which many will first experience bursting into bloom in our streets and parks.
‘With blossom spreading across the country from the warmer southwest counties to the northern most tips of Scotland at a walking pace, we need to get outside to enjoy this special annual show.
‘My top tip is to turn right instead of turning left when running errands, walking to work or taking children to school. By finding different routes you’re bound to experience different varieties of blossom too to brighten your day.’PAM SMITH
National Gardens consultant
Results from a recent YouGov poll reveal that over half (53%) of UK adults pay a lot of attention to seasonal changes such as blossom or autumn colour, and that the majority of UK adults (94%) feel happy when seeing blossom in bloom on trees or in hedgerows.
It’s this sense of joy that the conservation charity wants to spread. This year it’s particularly keen to inspire the UK’s 33 million workers to take time to experience the annual kaleidoscope of blossom’s stunning pink hues, from the deepest magentas through to the most delicate pinks and whites.
‘The joyful sight of blossom after such a grey, cold and stormy[4] start to the year is a real mood lifter. And it’s well known that spending time in nature can boost your wellbeing.
‘With the season only lasting a few weeks – it’s really important to enjoy it while we can. Our simple ask is for people to take a break to explore their streets or nearest green space for signs of blossom – and if they have nearby green spaces or parks close to where they work – maybe try sitting under blossoming trees to get a lift from nature.’ANNIE REILLY
Blossom programme manager at the National Trust
The new research also reveals only 10% of UK workers spend breaks outdoors in nature either for a walk or to sit among the trees, yet 80% of workers claim they feel more positive after spending breaks outdoors and 94% feel happy when seeing blossom in the spring.
As a result of these findings the Trust is encouraging employees to ditch their screens, down tools and to take a Big Blooming Break.
As for what ‘Blooming Breakers’ can expect from this year’s blossom season, National Trust gardeners are predicting a more typical year after last year’s early start.
‘The warm period with high temperatures nudging 20 degrees Celsius a fortnight ago certainly pushed things on with buds starting to emerge on early flowering cherry and pear trees in our gardens and blackthorn popping out excitedly in hedgerows.
‘The colder temperatures last week slowed things down again and with today’s temperatures anticipated to once again tip up towards 20 degrees in some places, it’s this changeability that could bring a sting in the tail given that we can expect further frosts.’SHEILA DAS
Head of Gardens and Parks at the National Trust
Over the winter, Trust ranger and countryside teams have also been busy planting new blossom trees to create vital habitats to benefit wildlife and people in the future.
These include new traditional orchards at Killerton in Devon, planting a ‘lost’ orchard at Lytes Cary in Somerset and planting over 4,000 blossoming trees to help create new hedgerows in the north and west Lakes.
‘Orchards, particularly those that are ageing and less managed for fruit production, are important habitats for wildlife including pollinators, bats and moths.
‘We’re aiming to plant four million blossom trees in appropriate places in or close to urban areas and the countryside as part of our commitment to planting and establishing 20 million trees by 2030 to ensure we are creating a blossom legacy that can hopefully provide joy for future generations.’PAM SMITH
National Gardens consultant
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