Hanami
Blossom time April/May
Beautiful in Bloom
Following the successful launch of Hanami at Brogdale last spring, the celebration is set to be bigger and better this year. During the blossom period – typically March/April/May, visitors will take tours of the orchards to wonder at the array of colourful blooms, view an exhibition of Japanese artefacts, picnic under the blossom and taste culinary delights of Japan.
Hanami, originating in Japan has proved to be the most renowned and successful blossom celebration worldwide. So much so, it has expanded to Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, USA and China and now Brogdale have bought it to the UK.
Bernie Cranfield, the Events and Marketing Manager who came up with the idea to introduce Hanami, says; “it offers exceptional scenic beauty, a showcase of Kent’s finest horticultural assets and a cultural experience all wrapped up into one. It has had so much interest since the launch last year and has encouraged new visitors from a range of age groups. One couple who came last spring had to cancel their visit to see the cherry blossom in Japan so were delighted they could get the next best thing here in Kent”.
The fruit collection at Brogdale holds over 323 different fruiting cherry varieties and an additional 42 varieties of ornamental cherry trees. Whilst the cherry blossom is the focus in Japan, Brogdale is also privileged to preserve a range of other flowering fruit trees including apples, pears, apricots and plums. The different varieties offer a truly breath-taking spectrum of colours and also an extended blossom period as the fruits have different flowering times. Typically the blossom period in Japan is around two weeks however Brogdale can extend a period of up to 8 weeks depending on the weather.
Forecasting the blossom period is all part of the Japanese traditions as people avidly track the weather in order to anticipate when celebrations will begin. Being an official Met Office climate site, Brogdale are well equipped to make predictions on the blossom based on weather readings. These predictions will be found on Brogdale Collections website leading up to spring.
The exhibition will feature artefacts from the Japanese Embassy including tableware, decorations and clothing. Tickets need to be pre-purchased although the dates can be decided leading up to the blossom period.
The National Fruit Collection is the largest collection of fruit in the world
Contact: Kimberly Campion
T 01795 536250 E info@brogdalecollections.co.uk W brogdalecollections.co.uk
