A “valley of blossom” is emerging in Greenwich Park after 130 cherry trees were planted near the Royal Observatory.
The Prunus ‘Sekiyama’ trees, rarely seen in the UK, are the same as the ones in the Cherry Avenue towards the south of the park, which has become a social media favourite in recent years.
Young saplings have been planted between the Grand Ascent and One Tree Hill, with help of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project, which has planted 7,700 trees in the UK since 2019 to symbolise the links between Britain and Japan.
For two weeks each spring, the trees will transform the landscape with their vibrant pink blooms.
“These beautiful cherry trees are more than a visual delight – they represent a bond between nations, a gift to our local communities, and a lasting legacy,” Matthew Pottage, the head of horticulture and landscape strategy at the Royal Parks charity said.
“We know after our long winters, people rejoice seeing colour and blossom, and this sea of pink will be an awe-inspiring hit of horticultural wonder.
“By planting these trees along the hillside, we’ve created a natural canvas, where, every spring, the landscape will transform into a vibrant sea of pink blossoms. We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience this new valley of blossom in Greenwich Park.”
Keisaku Sandy Sano, the founder and joint chairman of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project Team, said: “The response we have had from all across the UK has been amazing. It is testament to the strong relationship between the two countries, and we hope the trees will be a lasting tribute to that.”
Last spring another of Greenwich Park’s attractions, the deer, returned after four years away while their paddock was improved and extended as part of the Greenwich Park Revealed programme.
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