Rare tree blooms at estate

An unusual tree at a Shropshire estate which has some of the most picturesque gardens in the county has burst into bloom for the first time in more than a decade.

Visitors are flocking to the award-winning Wollerton Old Hall Gardens, near Market Drayton, to see the Chinese handkerchief tree which takes years to flower.

The tree has been in the gardens at Wollerton for more than 10 years and the species can often take its time as it is so temperamental when it comes to the weather.

Spokeswoman Joanne Humphris said: “The handkerchief tree originates from China and was first introduced by Ernest Wilson in 1903.

“Its common name comes from the fact that the small flower is surrounded by two huge white bracts that hang down around it and look like white handkerchiefs.”

She said the tree had never become generally available as it was difficult to propagate with a very hard nut as a seed and it tended not to germinate easily. Mrs Humphris said: “The flowers have also been prone to late spring frosts.

“Much work has been done on the propagation and with warmer springs becoming more of a norm this tree, I’m sure, will prove much more popular, especially for hayfever sufferers.”

She added that gardens were blooming as the exceptionally warm spring had also prompted many other plants to flower early.

Species already flowering include the snowdrop tree, a flowering dogwood, wisterias and hundreds of irises.

The gardens to the 16th century hall have been awarded the highest two-star rating in the Good Garden Guide and a commemorative trowel by the National Garden Scheme. They are open on Fridays, Sundays and bank holidays from 12pm to 5pm.