A speedy 44 minute Hanami Festival – the Rise and Rise of the Cherry Blossom Empire @Kewgardens #Hanami

I have been absent from these pages for quite a few months. I explained the reasons in my last post. I’m well on the road to recovery, coming back to the people, places and activities that bring me joy. I had deleted my Twitter and Instagram accounts but have reconnected with the latter @teddington_gardener and I must fix the link to this blog!

I am keen to see the Dale Chihuly installations at Kew Gardens, and hopefully in the next week before the cherry blossom is knocked out of the trees after winds and expected rain. In the meantime, a reblog from the cherry orchard at Kew, which is situated just behind the rose gardens. Enjoy…

The Teddington Gardener

Back again – a return to Kew after two incredibly hot and sunny days which have brought on the display immeasurably. I thought it was good on a dull Monday morning, but today, more, more and more blossom, puffed out, expanded and exploded and there is still more to come!

Some of the trees that offered barely a bud are now offering up their first full blooms amongst a myriad plump pink and white pompoms. Those that were seemingly extravagant then, are now smothered in flower with more and more leaf adding colour, texture and contrast to the display.

I was on a deadline, so my time was limited – I parked up in my favourite spot, immediately outside the Victoria Gate entrance ready for the 9.30 opening and made my way straight to the Cherry Walk (just past the leafy Rose Garden itself behind the Palm House). In less…