Herald - Issue 420

v GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE HERALD v 10th March 2022 • The HERALD • Page 49 • Tree Felling • Tree Shaping • Tree Purning & Thinning • Crown Reduction • Crown Lifting • Complete Tree Removal • Site Clearance • Dead Wooding • Hedge Cutting & Shaping • Gardening H Fully Insured H Evening: 01794 522092 Daytime Mobile: 07946 513633 Email: treefellers@gmx.com | DOWN THE GARDEN PATH | All aspects of Gardening carried out by reliable gardener a Grass Cutting a Hedge Cutting a Border Maintenance, Pruning, Weeding a Treating of Fencing/Trellis/Outbuildings a Pressure Washing of Patios/Decking The Potty Gardener Contact Kev on 07585 115569 or 023 8084 8638 Fred Hurst 023 8084 2191 or 07761 467217 • Grass Cutting • Garden Clearance • Hedge Cutting • Fallen Trees Cleared • Mini Digger Hire with Operator • Property Clearance • Small Demolition • Tractor Flail Cutting FULLY INSURED v FREE QUOTATIONS For All Your Gardening Needs General Garden Maintenance Overgrown Gardens Cleared Existing Garden Makeovers Areas Re-designed and Re-planted Hard Features Created Garden Coaching Lawn Care and Turfing Fencing Erected and Repaired Contact Paul on 07794 122065 Celebrating Blossom with the National Trust in Hampshire Nature has proved a huge source of comfort for many of us in recent years, and in spring the sight of fresh blossom on a warm spring day can be especially upli ing. In Japan, ‘Hanami’ or ‘ ower viewing’ is all about enjoying the eeting beauty of blossom trees as they come into bloom. is spring, join in the UK’s own blossom celebration in the run up to the National Trust’s #BlossomWatch day on 23rd April 2022 , when the conservation charity is inviting you to share your own pictures of blossom on social media. In Hampshire from March to May, National Trust gardens ll with displays of dainty cream and pink fruit and cherry blossom. In countryside hedgerows, in woods and on downland, blackthorn reveals sprays of tiny white owers. Hawthorn closes the season with its highly scented clusters of white blossom. Blossoming trees are good for wildlife too. eir pollen provides essential food for insects, and in autumn their fruit is a feast for blackbirds, song thrushes and other birds, as well as mice, badgers and foxes. March Mottisfont, near Romsey Early spring also sees the owering of Mottisfont’s magni cent white magnolia by the stables. In full bloom it makes a stunning backdrop for springtime sel es – you can get a lovely shot whilst seated on one of the benches lining the int wall in front of the tree. White and pink-tinged sweetly scented crab apple blossom may also make an appearance at this time. ere’s a wonderful 200 year old example on the north lawn, known as Napoleon’s crab apple. e owers provide an important source of early pollen and nectar for insects. Out on the six mile estate walk hedgerows are littered with tight clusters of white blackthorn blossom. Hinton Ampner, near Bramdean From late March, the pink double owers of Japanese blossom variety ‘Kanzan’ begin to unfurl in Hinton’s little cherry orchard. Lemon-yellow narcissi, tiny bright blue anemone and chequered fritillaries litter the grass beneath the trees. Elegant large-petalled magnolias are also on show including fragrant white variety ‘Alba’. is year, ten new blossom trees have been planted on the east lawn, carefully chosen to complement former owner Ralph Dutton’s 20th-century planting choices and including the richly scented white double- owering cherry Prunus ‘Fragrant Cloud’. ese are young trees and their displays will develop over the coming years. April Mottisfont, near Romsey In early April, the little cherry orchard next to Mottisfont’s stableyard bursts into frothy white bloom. 16 Mount Fuji cherry trees – a variety renowned for spectacular displays - produce snowy blossom which releases a honey fragrance, making it a favourite with visiting bees. Head Gardener Jonny Norton says : “If you’re lucky enough to capture the blossom falling, you’ll see how it got its name; it really does mimic snowflakes. The petals carpet the ground and look simply stunning.” A mown path meanders through the orchard, drawing the eye to views of meadows and ancient woodland beyond. Stroll up to the walled garden to enjoy young and gnarly old fruit trees covered in candy-pink apple buds and snowy pear blossom. Hinton Ampner, near Bramdean From late April in the cherry orchard, the blowsy cream blooms of Mount Fuji appear, weighing branches down towards the ground. In the walled kitchen garden espaliered fruit trees bear tight clusters of pink and white petals. From 23rd April to 1st May Hinton is hosting its very own Hanami Blossom Festival, with Japanese- inspired games to try, croquet and swingball on the lawn, and Japanese lantern-making activities for children at weekends. You’ll nd chalk boards guiding you to oral ‘hot spots’ around the gardens, or you could just take it easy and soak up the spring colour from one of their picnic blankets; you’re welcome to take your own picnic into the grounds too. Visit: www. n a t i on a l t r u s t . o r g . uk / hinton-ampner for further details nearer the time. Mottisfont - cherry orchard blossom National Trust images: Jonny Norton