Springtime magic in Japan, pink flowers blanket country

Dawn and I have been flinging ourselves on and off buses and trains in Japan in pursuit of the famed cherry blossoms. Our tour is partially guided giving us time to explore on our own. The first couple of weeks in April appear to be the optimum time for cherry blossoms. Rows of cherry trees line rivers and canals, arks and gardens, all coming into bloom.

We had several tours taking us to gardens, temples and shrines. The guides were impressive with their knowledge, humour, courtesy and time keeping. Here the blossoms are measured by percentage.

"Look!" Our guide would cry with excitement. "Sakura! Cherry blossom! Forty percent, 80 percent."

One garden featured cherry trees underplanted with pruned camellias, trimmed azaleas and a tea house. Such was the tranquility that Dawn and I inadvertently joined one of the many wedding parties. With gracious courtesy and subtle politeness we were guided away.

I hadn't considered combining tea plants and cherry trees. My brain whirred overtime. At home I have been preparing the ground among my tea plants for some white magnolias. The magnolias have been gazzumped. I can't wait to see if I can fit some cherry trees into my tea plantation.

During my absence my friends have been picking the tea and experimenting with ways of drying it. They have sent photos but I haven't heard yet how it tasted. The green tea here is dried and then powdered. The powder, known as matcha, is whisked into the water using a bamboo whisk giving the tea a bright green foam. It is used as a flavouring in drinks, cakes, nibbles and sweets. I particularly liked green tea covered pumpkin seeds. The garden gave me the confidence to sprinkle well clipped tea plants among the deciduous trees on the rest of the hillside. Tea plants used for matcha green tea are grown in the shade especially during the last three weeks before picking when covers are thrown over the tea plants.

We couldn't have picked a more favourable two weeks. Everywhere we went cherry blossoms (sakura) were blooming up to 100 percent. One of the best displays was in a town called Kinosaki Onsen. A canal ran through charming little buildings and shops in the area we stayed. Little bridges crossed it intermittently and old cherry trees lined the sides. Enormous thick trunks covered in lichen supported long branches reaching down and reflecting the blossoms in the water below. At night lanterns were lit among the branches, creating a beautiful festive atmosphere.

One bridge featured wrought iron railings complete with cherry blossoms painted in soft pink. It was lovely. I am sure it could be replicated in wood.

Almost all the gardens and parks feature carefully pruned species of black pine, pinus thunbergii, also called Japanese black pine. A native to the islands of Japan, this tree can reach heights of 40 metres. In the parks, public and private gardens, they are often kept severely pruned to conform to an area. Throughout Japan these trees are an inspiration to

many artists. They represent longevity, virtue and youth. In many shrines entire walls are painted with them where they can also represent masculinity and power. Large paintings in a reception room indicate to the visitor the power of the host.

Dawn and I were lucky enough to happen upon two gardeners trimming a pine tree. Perched on ladders they were carefully thinning the upper pine needles and removing the lower ones. Every branch was pruned to a desired shape. It takes two of them fifteen days to prune and trim each tree.

"I wouldn't mind trying that," I said to Dawn.

"Have you got two weeks?" she replied.

"No," I said considering it. "Do you?”

After all she has retired and I can just picture her up a pine tree.

PRETTY IN PINK: Cherry blossoms are in full splendour across Japan, a big attraction for tourists.