'Cherry' Ingram : The Englishman Who Saved Japan s Blossoms

The irresistible story of Japanese cherry blossoms, threatened by political ideology and saved by an unknown Englishman This is not just a tale of trees, but of . . . endeavour, war and reconciliation Sunday TimesCollingwood Ingram, born in 1880, became known as Cherry for his defining obsession. As a young man, he travelled to Japan and learned of the astonishing displays of cherry blossoms, or sakura.On a return visit in 1926, Ingram witnessed frightening changes to the country s cherry population. A cloned variety was sweeping the landscape and being used as a symbol for Japan s expansionist ambitions. Determined to protect the diversity of the trees, Ingram began sending the rare varieties from his own garden in England back to Japan with the help of a network of cherry guardians .This is an eloquent portrait of an extraordinary man whose legacy we enjoy every spring, and his unsung place in botanic history. Engrossing . . . A portrait of great charm and sophistication Christopher Harding, Guardian