SEE KENT IN FULL BLOOM

Spring is here, and that means some beautiful blossoms are about to bloom. Here’s our guide on where to find five different blossoms at some of the county’s National Trust destinations, and when to catch them at their best…

Bearing the fruits of sloe gin, the eye-catching blackthorn is the UK’S earliest blossom. You can spot wild blackthorn creeping out of countryside hedgerows by it’s pure white flowers, black-purple twigs and short stalks, which are unlike any other blossom you’ll see this spring. Blackthorn is also home to birds, butterflies and the Blackthorn Mining Bee, which collects pollen from its namesake as the weather gets warmer. l Ightham Mote and Scotney Castle

2. CRAB APPLE MARCH TO APRIL

Smaller than its cousin, the apple tree, fruits from the crab apple blossom are commonly used for cooking rather than eating straight from the fruit bowl. The crab apple blossom is a rather fetching white-and-pink colour with a pleasantly sweet scent. The trees attract plenty of wildlife including bees, blackbirds, thrushes and moth caterpillars, while badgers, voles, mice and foxes will come foraging for fruit that falls to the ground. l Ightham Mote, Scotney Castle and Smallhythe Place

3. CHERRY APRIL TO MAY

Nothing says springtime like the cherry blossom. You might be familiar with the blooming Japanese Sakura tree, which is a delightful shade of pale pink, or the small baubles of white flowers from the wild cherry tree. However, there are a huge number of different species and some cherry trees can produce blossoms of dark pink and even yellow - if you know where to find them. l Chartwell, Emmetts Garden, Ightham Mote, Scotney Castle, Sissinghurst Castle and Smallhythe Place

4. APPLE

LATE APRIL TO MAY

One of the most widely grown - and delicious - fruits in the country, apples are always a family favourite in most households. There is a huge variety of apple trees grown all over the county, from sharp green apples to sweet, juicy reds such as Discovery. Most trees showing pink petals when the flower first blooms before fading to a striking white throughout the season. l Chartwell, Ightham Mote, Scotney Castle, Sissinghurst Castle and Smallhythe Place

5. HAWTHORN FROM MAY ONWARDS

Hawthorn is one of the late-blooming blossoms and signals the transition from spring to summer. But it’s worth the wait - the pale green leaves and pretty pink blossoms decorate the large trees, which can grow up to 15 metres tall, and their thorny twigs. The dark red berries that these blossoms produce are equally stunning to look at.

Picture: David Sellman Apple blossom in the orchard at Sissinghurst Castle