BLOSSOM is blooming across Solihull and Warwickshire and the National Trust is inviting people to emulate Japan’s Hanami – the ancient tradition of viewing and celebrating blossom – with its #BlossomWatch campaign.
The conservation charity piloted #BlossomWatch last year when the country had just entered lockdown.
And, with thousands capturing and sharing images of trees in bloom across social media platforms, and four million views in the first two weeks, the Trust is now making it an annual tradition, asking people to share the joy and hope that the sight of blush-tinted blooms will bring to help lift spirits and enable everyone to celebrate nature together.
Lucy Simpson, senior gardener at Baddesley Clinton near Solihull, said: “We’re hopeful that 2021 will provide us with a bountiful display of blossom across our gardens and parklands.
“The emergence of the blossom is such an important milestone for us, a real indicator that change is taking place and that brighter days are ahead.
“Hedgerow blossom typically kicks off the season with the tiny white, frothy blackthorn flowers crisscrossing the countryside before tree blossom like magnolias start to unfurl and the many varieties of delicately coloured fruit tree blossom take it in turns to bloom – from plum and damson to cherry and apple – before the finale of the white hawthorn coming into flower in May.
“We’d encourage everyone to get outdoors, safely enjoy the blossom where they live and share their experiences with others.”
A growing body of evidence suggests that moments each day noticing nature are vital for wellbeing and building a closer connection with nature, and further evidence also suggests that people derive many of the benefits from online engagement.
The Trust is therefore asking people to celebrate blossom, to ‘turn social media pink, white and green’ over the coming weeks, to mark one of ‘nature’s greatest spectacles’.
To get involved simply take and share imagery using #BlossomWatch.
The Trust is also launching a blossom map this year to record blossom sightings across the country. For further information, to donate towards our tree planting ambitions, and inspiration visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blossom-watch
