National Trust Encourages Britons to Embrace Spring Blossom
While temperatures are expected to vary over the coming weeks, with the possibility of further frost and continued wet conditions across many parts of the UK, daylight hours are lengthening. The National Trust has launched its annual Blossom Campaign today, encouraging the public to venture outdoors and appreciate the vibrant colours of spring after a dreary start to the year.
A recent YouGov survey indicated that over half of UK adults pay close attention to seasonal shifts such as blossoming trees and autumnal foliage, with a majority reporting feelings of happiness when observing these natural displays in trees and hedgerows. Annie Reilly, Blossom Programme Manager at the National Trust, stated, “The delightful sight of blossom following a grey, cold, and stormy period is a genuine mood lifter. It is well-established that spending time in nature can enhance your wellbeing.”
Seize the Blossom Season
“Given the season’s brief duration of just a few weeks, it is crucial to make the most of it,” Reilly added. “We simply ask people to take a moment to discover blossom in their local streets or nearby green spaces. For those with parks or green areas near their workplace, consider sitting beneath blossoming trees to experience nature’s uplifting effect.”
Early Blossom Highlights
Sheila Das, Head of Gardens and Parks at the National Trust, commented: “The recent warm spell, with temperatures nearing 20 degrees Celsius, certainly accelerated the season, prompting buds to appear on early flowering cherry and pear trees in our gardens and blackthorn to burst into bloom in hedgerows.”
Blossoming trees typically flower profusely before their leaves unfurl, making them highly visible, particularly after the extended grey winter. Following the native blackthorn emergence, cherry plum trees, displaying white and pink blossoms, will signal spring’s arrival in streets, gardens, and parks for many.
Spring’s Delicate Balance
Alan Power, National Trust Gardens & Parks Manager for the south west, noted: “As with each spring’s commencement across the southwest, we are constantly subject to fluctuating temperatures. This always brings a degree of concern, especially regarding ornamental plants like magnolias emerging and facing uncertain weather conditions.”
“Spring flowering appears to be slightly delayed this year. The grey and colder winter, combined with a dry period, has postponed flowering compared to the milder, wetter winters we have recently experienced.”
Creating Habitats for the Future
Throughout the winter months, the National Trust’s ranger and countryside teams have been actively planting new blossom trees to develop important habitats for wildlife and for the benefit of future generations. Initiatives include:
- Establishing new traditional orchards at Killerton in Devon.
- Re-establishing a ‘lost’ orchard at Lytes Cary in Somerset.
- Planting over 4,000 blossoming trees to create new hedgerows in the north and west Lakes.