London in bloom
Thousands of tourists flock to Japan for the sakura or cherry blossom. There are even blossom watch sites stating the precise day on which part of Japan to visit. The earlier blossom sightings are in the south, moving northwards as the season progresses, starting in March through to May.
But London is also particularly beautiful in Spring. We have our own sakura season, with street cherry trees littering the pavement with pink petal confetti.
This is also the month when spectacular arches of Wisteria climb over old houses (apparently a Wisteria adds £5k to the value of your property). My own Wisteria arch is in progress, having been planted a year ago.
The bottom of my garden is purple with scented lilac - you can see this all over London. Mine has a rosy clematis Montana scrambling over it.
Ceonothus in ultra violet blue is in flower at this time too along with magnolia. The Magnolia petals you can eat. They have a gingery flavour: stuff them with couscous or pickle them.
But it’s worth taking a walk to the outskirts of London to see intensely scented fields of English bluebells in the woods. English bluebells have been supplanted somewhat by an invading Armada of Spanish bluebells. You can tell the difference because the English bluebell is more delicate, less Disneyfied and a darker blue. I went to Wanstead Flats in North East London on a bank holiday Monday. Try also Highgate Wood and Kew Gardens.
I use these petals in recipes. You can make lilac sugar simply by mixing the petals with sugar and leaving it to infuse. Then you could sprinkle it over dessert or use in lemonade.
Wonderful writing and images Kerstin! xx