Peter's Blog
Peter's Blog
Featured on: Oriental garden ideas Japanese garden ideas Japanese garden plants Cherry blossom
15 Apr, 2008
18 comments
Cherry blossom in Japan
I’ve been in Japan for the last month and it’s great to get back and find GoY really busy with new – and familiar ;o) – members, so a big welcome to everyone; I can see I have a lot of catching up to do, reading blogs and my own blogging too.
Viewing cherry blossom in bloom seems to be easy and difficult at the same time – you can see flowers for weeks but full bloom is fragile and transient, luck is needed to get the right day. While in Osaka, I was told that my 4 day trip to Tokyo would mean I’d miss the best day for the local cherry blossom. Even in the areas surrounding Osaka, trees in shaded or higher (and therefore cooler) locations will bloom later. The flowers look, and are, very delicate.
Delicate flowers
I was lucky, the weather warmed up and we visited a beautiful area on a very good day, just before we went to Tokyo.
Cherry blossom is cultivated in gardens and along streets but it is naturally abundant in the mountains and hills of Japan; I found these un-manicured views much more beautiful, and in a way mysterious than the regular planting along paths. I couldn’t always get a good view, and sometimes I would see majestic mountain vistas from the car and they’d whizz past, but that just made it better.
Through the trees
Someone’s garden
Our hotel in Tokyo was in a beautiful park with many cherry blossoms. We took photos the day we arrived; the day after the heavens opened. As we ate breakfast we watched the rain tear petals and flowers from the trees – a demonstration of just how quickly cherry blossom season can pass.
Before the rain
I hope you’re all well, and welcome again to all our new members :o)
More blog posts by peter
Comments
15 Apr, 2008
Hi Weemama :o) Thanks! We had a great time. I'll post some more photos later. I need lessons in photography though, I found it very difficult to capture a picture of the hills and mountains that did them justice. Hope you're well.
15 Apr, 2008
Glad you were able to capture these trees in all there glory before the rain spoiled the blossom Lovely ohotos
15 Apr, 2008
WOW! stunning pic's Peter, - it's looks to me that you mastered taking them just fine! we have a small cherry blossom overlooking our garden from next door which does look stunning if you catch it right, but alass we have had some heavy rain that has spoilled it - and i must say no where near as breath taking as your pic's anyway - a real joy to see! glad you had a great holiday!
15 Apr, 2008
Sounds like a wonderful experience, Peter. I know you were focussed on the cherry blossoms but did you have a chance to see any of the ancient Bonsai?
The pic of the avenue of cherry trees was breathtaking...goY seems to be perking along...best gardening site on here!
15 Apr, 2008
Thanks everyone :o)
Lori, I didn't manage see any bonsai, but even some of the full sized trees are manicured. I've added some more photos :)
15 Apr, 2008
Welcome back! We've missed you. Glad you had a good trip and love the photos.
16 Apr, 2008
Peter I'm sure you had fun and seeing those amazing displays of blossom must have been so inspiring to every gardener.Hel.xxx.
16 Apr, 2008
Sounds like you had a cracking good time, Peter. Cherry blossom is so beautiful, Japan must be a wonderland at this time of the year.
The cherry blossom is just breaking in this part of the world, we are hoping for a dry and sunny spell next week so that it has a chance to cast its spell over the Chiltern Hills.
16 Apr, 2008
Thanks for the comments everyone, and hi, Spritz :o) it's good to be back.
Xela - I'm hoping for dry and sunny next week too, although it's not been bad today. The lawn is about ready for it's first mow of the year and my little veg patch could do with tidying.
16 Apr, 2008
Hi Peter,
Welcome back and thanks for sharing the photos.They are very beautiful.
18 Apr, 2008
Welcome back Peter and glad to hear you had a wonderful trip. The cherry blossom is magnificent - fleeting but perfect!
25 Apr, 2008
Stunning pics, Peter! I never cease to be amazed by the effort that goes into cultivating these trees for the blossom, which can appear one day ,and be blown away the next! And I thought that this happened only here!
25 Apr, 2008
Hi David :o) Thanks, they are beautiful trees. I think one reason for the amount of care lavished on them is their importance in the culture. From what I can see everyone, of all ages, goes out to see them in bloom. It can be a real carnival atmosphere.
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Weemamabell
15 Apr, 2008
Glad you enjoyed your holiday , your photo's are beautiful