World’s largest Tai-haku cherry blossom orchard is out in Alnwick

The blossom of the great white cherry will be on show for at best, a week or so. Head gardener Trevor Jones said: “The cherry tree orchard means a lot to me, not for the number of trees or the blossom, but for the fact that I see myself as a “guardian of the trees” and the memories attached to them by the sponsors, young and old, who have dedicated many of the orchard’s 329 Tai-haku trees to loved one’s past and present.

“Compared to the rest of the Alnwick Garden, there is hardly any work involved in looking after them, apart from cutting the grass paths around the trees and cutting at the end of the season.

“The Duchess of Northumberland added 50 double swinging seats last year to the orchard and they have been a wonderful addition. This is a place for adults, families and children to gently swing and contemplate their surroundings, for the children to have fun and make and remember happy memories.

“Due to the weather, we will not get three weeks of blossom from our beloved Tai-haku cherry tree blossoms this year, but we are very happy with what the weather and our trees give us. Every day, each gust of wind blows the blossom like a cascade of snow and never are we happier than to keep this rare and delightful species, even for just a short while every year.”

The Tai-haku was introduced to England in 1900 and was recognised years later in a Sussex garden by plant collector Captain Collingwood Ingram, after it had died out in Japan.

“Cherry” Ingram was instrumental in re-introducing the tree to Japan and all of the Tai-haku trees in the world are descended from the cuttings made by Capt Ingram.

The cherry blossom is currently being live streamed to the website www.alnwickgarden.com,

Families may want to sponsor a plot, tree or rose, a swinging seat or dedicate a bench in The Alnwick Garden, whether in memory of a loved one or in celebration of a family event or person. Call 01665 511350.