Herald - Issue 421

31st March 2022 • The HERALD • Page 53 v THE HERALD - Your Community Magazine v 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 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 • 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 | 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 Saturday 23rd April , 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. 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. walk through the little wooden gate on to this ancient site of chalk downland. Bursting out of hedges and in scrubby clumps, the clusters of scented white owers cover the length of the tree’s branches and line the paths taking you to the top of this Iron Age hill fort and its panoramic views. Several hundred varieties of insect feed o hawthorn owers, including many of Stockbridge Down’s native butter y species such as the beautiful green hairstreak. In autumn the bright red berries feed birds, small mammals, even slow worms. 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 our picnic blankets; you’re welcome to bring your own picnic into the grounds too. Visit: www. nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner for further details nearer the time. May Sandham Memorial Chapel, Burghclere Fronting the chapel Sandham’s orchard of historic apple tree varieties, many of which are over 90 years old, burst into so pink and white bloom. You can picnic under the blossom here, on benches close to the trees. Look out for spring wild owers in the long grass and at the base of the hedges surrounding the Mottisfont - cherry orchard blossom National Trust Images Jonny Norton orchard – delights like pink ragged robin, lilac snakeshead fritillary and yellow cowslip. Behind the chapel, young crab apple trees covered in tiny white bunches of blossom line the path through the garden. Stockbridge Down, near Stockbridge At this time of year you’re likely to see hawthorn blossom (also known as ‘May’) as soon as you e Healthy Haven Garden at the Waterside Medical Practice are having a Grand Open Day on Saturday 23rd July from 10am to 3pm. ere will be cra stalls, the Praizin Hand Puppets Group, Surrey ice creams, food vans and music. e music includes a Ukulele group, Summer Worsley with 70’s and Country music and Andrew Rance singing and on the keyboard. Balmer Lawn Honda of Dibden Purlieu will be showing two of their cars. is is the rst open day that the garden is having since it opened in May 2019. Now we are learning to live with COVID-19 they want to showcase the Healthy Haven Garden and let the whole community enjoy it and have some fun. Please put this date in your diaries and do go along on the day. Look out for more details and posters nearer the time Grand Open Day