Home of the National Fruit Collection
Japanese Traditions of Flower Viewing
Brogdale, home of the National Fruit Collection are to celebrate the spring blossom by opening the orchards for Hanami Experiences.
Hanami is a Japanese tradition which marks the start of the season by enjoying a picnic under the blossom trees (Sakura).
The experience begins with the viewing of Japanese artefacts and sampling of traditional Japanese food and drink. A blossom tour around the orchard then commences lead by a knowledgeable guide who incorporates the new seasons highlights. Upon reaching the ornamental orchard the guide leaves visitors to enjoy their picnic which is brought up to the designated area where ground covers are laid and lanterns are hung in the Sakura.
The National Fruit Collection preserves both fruiting and ornamental trees including apples, pears, cherries, plums and apricots. Each fruit has a different flower and each variety shows variation between the blooms. The overall spectacle is quite exceptional and shows a succession throughout April and into May.
With ornamental trees planted along the orchard access, the walk to reach the collections starts the exploration of the blooming cultivars. Each collection is planted in traditional orchard rows for ease of upkeep and holds two trees of each variety ensuring a backup is present in the event of disease.
The apricots are the earliest collection to burst from the buds and show five bright white petals, often tinged with pink and offering a sweet fragrance. The multiple stamens are prominent and tipped with vibrant yellow pollen. Following are the plums which also have five petals but show a wider range of colour through from white to dark pink.
Next to show bloom are the cherries of which inspired the Japanese flower viewing traditions and centre in the celebrations of Hanami in Japan. The origin of Hanami dates back to more than one thousand years ago when the spring rituals were formed. British spring time is similarly timed with that of Tokyo, synchronising celebrations and offering comparable climatic conditions. Whilst the weather is not guaranteed to be fine, the element of chance has added to the delight of the experience, encouraging a relaxed and “come what may” outlook. The variation in cherry bloom at Brogdale lies largely in the ornamental trees which produce a collection of delicate and cloud like flowers.
Apple and pear trees are the last to flower in the collections with the fruiting apples showing a whitish/pink flower and the pears showing a whitish/green flower. The crab apples however blast the orchards with vivid colour from the petite but defined flowers. The vibrant pink shown by varieties such as the Malus Royal Beauty embodies such depth and definition it demands admiration and reinforces the worthiness of viewing blossom as a floral exhibition.
Hanami Experience tours can be pre-booked though the website www.brogdalecollections.org or by contacting Brogdale Collections on 01795 536250.
