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Cherry blossoms bloom after avoiding storm threat

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria
News imageThe Alnwick Garden A stone pathway is bordered by cherry blossom trees in bloom as far as the eye can see. The flowers on the trees are white, with specks of orange/green from the leaves. On the ground, grassy patches are dotted with yellow daffodils which are also in bloom.The Alnwick Garden
Hundreds of Taihaku cherry blossom trees are in bloom at The Alnwick Garden

The Alnwick Garden's short cherry blossom season is under way, despite a "touch and go" moment where Storm Dave threatened to sweep away the budding flowers.

The garden in Northumberland boasts 329 Taihaku cherry blossom trees which will only be in bloom for the next two to three weeks.

Visitor engagement officer David Paterson said there was a "big sigh of relief" when the delicate flowers were undamaged by last weekend's storm as they were still budding.

He said the display was stunning and the gardeners had spent "all year maintaining the orchards, making sure the trees are in good health".

First opened in 2008, the orchard's designers made a deliberate choice to use one species of the tree to create a "big burst of blossom".

"We'll have two weeks of unmatched cherry blossom beauty in Northumberland and then it will disappear," Paterson said.

News imagePhil Wilkinson A close-up of the flower. The white petals are small and dotted with yellow specks. There are also some pink budding flowers on the branch, and some green/orange leaves.Phil Wilkinson
The flowers were in full bloom, creating a "big burst of blossom"

Storm Dave swept across northern England last Saturday, causing disruption and damage.

"We thought there was a potential that we might lose our blossom before it had fully come out," Paterson said.

"But luckily for us they hadn't quite fully flowered yet, they were still budding, so it meant the petals stayed on."

News imageThe Alnwick Garden An aerial view of the orchard which is lined with multiple rows of cherry blossom trees in bloom. They look like speckled white dots from a distance. To the left, is a border of green trees and a road. On the right, there is manicured garden with hedges cut into various shapes. The Alnwick Garden
There were worries Storm Dave could sweep away the budding flowers

In a nod to the Japanese tradition of Hanami, this year they have put up windchimes, lanterns and hung haiku poems about cherry blossoms around the site.

Gardeners also underplanted the orchard with daffodils.

"Not only have you got the great white canopy of the cherry, you also have this carpet of yellow daffodils throughout it as well," Paterson said.

"It's stunning this year, they've really outdone themselves, it's fantastic."

News imagePhil Wilkinson Dozens of cherry blossom trees in bloom. The white and orange flowers dot the trees. Below them, is a path way and grassy areas plated with white daffodils which are also in bloom.Phil Wilkinson
Daffodils were also underplanted in the orchard this year

The Alnwick Garden, which was created by The Duchess of Northumberland in 2001, is also live-streaming a "blossom watch" feed.

Paterson said it was the world's largest collection of the specific type of cherry blossom.

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