3 beautiful spring blossoms to catch before they’re gone
Spring blossom is in full bloom – but not for much longer
The recent spell of warm weather and sunshine has brought spring on quickly, with cherry, magnolia and plum trees coming into bloom weeks earlier than usual. One minute the branches were bare, the next they’re covered in flowers – it really has happened fast.
There is a downside, though. The warmth means the blossoms are likely to peak sooner and fade faster than they would in a cooler spring, so this year’s display may be shorter than usual.
If you’ve been meaning to go blossom-spotting, now’s the time. From cherry blossom to magnolia and plum, these trees are looking their best right now – but they won’t last for long.
Here, we’ve picked three of the prettiest blossoms to see this week, plus what to look for when you’re out and about.
More flower spotting guides:
Cherry blossom
How to identify it:
Look for soft pink or white flowers, often appearing before or just as the leaves emerge. The blossoms grow in clusters, giving trees a full, cloud-like appearance.
What to look for:
Petals are usually pale pink, sometimes almost white, with darker centres. Many varieties have five petals, and you may see them starting to fall and gather on the ground beneath the tree.
Magnolia
How to identify it:
Magnolias have large, tulip- or star-shaped flowers that sit on bare branches. The blooms are much bigger than cherry or plum, often white or shades of pink.
What to look for:
Thick petals and distinctive shapes. You’ll often see a mix of closed buds and open flowers on the same tree.
Plum blossom
How to identify it:
Smaller and more delicate than cherry, plum blossom appears early, often before the leaves. The flowers are usually white or very pale pink and sit close to the branch.
What to look for:
Single flowers spaced along darker branches, with fine stamens in the centre. Some varieties will also have deep purple leaves starting to emerge.
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