A blooming great time to reflect
THE JAPANESE take the appearance of spring flowers so seriously they have a special word for it, yet in Britain only around one in 15 people are said to take stock of the changing seasons.
But as the first spring blossom begins to appear, the National Trust is launching a campaign today to persuade everyone to become invested in nature – whether they can get close to it or not.
It wants people who can see trees from their window, in their garden or on a street in bloom to pause and enjoy the sight, and then share pictures for those not so fortunate.
Photography apart, the tradition has been practised in Japan since ancient times and is known as Hanami, literally flower viewing.
It is in stark contrast to the UK, where research commissioned by the Trust indicated that only seven per cent of children and six per cent of adults celebrated the key events in nature’s calendar – the first day of spring, autumn harvest or the summer and winter solstice.
The charity hopes to counter the apathy by starting what it calls a “blossom watch” tradition as part of a campaign to connect people with nature.
It said the idea could help lift people’s spirits in the current uncertain times. Some of the first blossom that people are likely to see as the spring progresses are the whites and pinks of blackthorn, hawthorn and cherry.
Those with trees in bloom in their gardens and on their streets are being asked to put their pictures on social media with a note of their location, so that everyone, including those who cannot leave their homes, can enjoy the signs of spring.
Next year, there are plans to develop a national map of the developing blossom, said the charity, which published a report last month suggesting that people needed a closer everyday connection to nature in order to do more to protect it.
Andy Beer, of the National Trust, said: “Celebrating blossom is a pivotal, seasonal moment that can often be all too fleeting and we want to do all we can to help people and families at home to enjoy and take stock of a special moment in the calendar. At a time when people are being asked not to travel, blossom trees can be seen on city streets, in gardens and in public parks. There are many spectacular orchards across the nation, including those owned by the National Trust, but the awesome spectacle of blossom is on display in the neighbourhoods of many lucky people. We’re asking them to take pictures of the blossom as it blooms and share the joy with others who can’t see blossom for themselves right now.
“It’s a moment many can enjoy by looking at trees in their garden, seeing it through windows, or on city streets when taking the permitted daily walk, cycle or run.” Nature spotters in Yorkshire will have to wait longer than those in the warmer south-west to see the trees in full blossom. The first are already well in flower there – a sign that wave after wave of different types of fruit blossom will begin to sweep northwards in the next few weeks.
Celebrating blossom is a pivotal moment that can often be fleeting.
Andy Beer, from the National Trust.