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margaretherbert

Blossom time!

It is a sad fact that over half of the orchards in England and Wales have disappeared since 1900. Sad because all that fruit is being imported with an inevitable carbon footprint but also sad because orchards provide an enormous amount of early spring nectar for insects which in turn feed our birds. Trees will also absorb large quantities of ground water, reducing the run off into rivers and therefore alleviating flooding.


Prunus Kanzan, an ornamental Japanese cherry
Prunus Kanzan, an ornamental Japanese cherry


Japan's cherry blossom peaked in 2021 at it's earliest since 812 AD. In the UK we have experienced a warm sunny March in 2022, opening buds and feeding early bees and butterflies.


Peach Blossom
Peach blossom


As an attempt to offset this loss of early nectar, the National Trust are planting blossoming trees on publicly accessible sites in some UK cities, creating a British version of 'Hanami', the Japanese celebration of the coming of Spring.


Apple Blossom
Apple blossom

We can do our bit to help. Fruit tree sales are increasing at our local garden centres as more people strive to grow their own. For the past 2 years, I have been regularly asked to include elements of grow your own within ornamental designs. Whether you have a fruit tree in a pot on the patio, in a border or in a full scale orchard, the benefits are countless: as well benefiting wildlife and the environment, it has been shown that our mental health is improved by the sight of blossom and fresh green leaves in spring, by the movement of bees and butterflies and by the taste of fresh fruit.


If a fruit tree is not for you, there are many other plants blooming now. Here is a selection of pictures from my garden as well as gardens that I have visited to give some inspiration.


Drumstick primula (Primula dentata) at Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff
Drumstick primula (Primula dentata) at Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff

Drumstick primula (Primula dentata)
Drumstick primula (Primula dentata)



Periwinkle, Vinca minor 'Variegata'
Periwinkle, Vinca minor 'Variegata' in early spring

Viburnum x bodantense 'Dawn'
Viburnum x bodantense 'Dawn' produces fragrant flowers on bare branches before the leaves unfurl

Carpets of heather at Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff
Carpets of heather at Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff

Tulips and narcissi
Tulips and narcissi add bright colours to spring borders

Flowering currant (Ribes
Flowering currant (Ribes) is a traditional shrub, very popular with bees.

Primula veris, cowslips
Primula veris, cowslips, grow well in damp borders and grassland.

Narcissus 'Sun Disk'
Narcissus 'Sun Disk' a dainty late flowering daffodil

Mahonia
Mahonia flowers from late winter onwards, but the best and most fragrant time is in early spring.

Narcissus
Narcissus flower

Tete a tete' daffodils
Dainty early-flowering 'Tete a tete' daffodils

Helleborus orientalis, the lenten rose.
Inside detail of Helleborus orientalis, the lenten rose.

Hamamelis mollis (wych hazel)
Hamamelis mollis (wych hazel) flowering from late winter into early spring with fragrant spidery flowers on bare stems.

Camellia
Camellia, an easy evergreen shrub if you don't have chalky soil

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