Killerton Springs into Rhyme with blossom-inspired poetry display

The National Trust’s Killerton, in Devon, is springing into rhyme from now until 30 June with displays of poetry written by local community groups and inspired by blossom at Killerton. 

Visitors to Killerton can wander through the emerging magnolias and cheerful cherry blossom in the formal gardens, enjoying the poetry displayed across the site and the coming of spring. With far-reaching views, formal terraces, rolling lawns, ancient trees and even an extinct volcano, the gardens at Killerton are the perfect canvas for poetic inspiration and a brilliant place to spot blossom. 

This year’s poetry display builds on the success of a community-led art project in 2023 that resulted in the ‘Blossom in the Orchard’ exhibition by Broadclyst Art Society. This exhibition saw a series of artworks of Killerton’s mill orchard by local people, many of whom had never visited Killerton before, displayed in the orchard.  

For 2024, community groups are again visiting the blossom at Killerton and have been invited to return Haikus inspired by the gardens and estate. Amidst acres of gardens and sprawling parkland, they’ll encounter flowering apple trees, hawthorn hedgerows ablaze with white blossoms and the pink and white confetti of cherry trees. 

Ker Emeleus, Head Gardener at Killerton, says: “At Killerton the rich diversity of flowering trees and shrubs provide beautiful displays for our visitors throughout the year. One of my particular favourites are the blossoming Magnolias, which act like a beacon to draw visitors to the garden. They also provide a valuable food source for many invertebrates, especially through the colder months.”  

The Haikus that have been created will be displayed across Killerton in a “Poetry Bomb” style. Visitors will come across poems in unexpected and creative places around the gardens, restaurants and house. 

Visitor Operations and Experience Manager at Killerton, Jamie Jones, is excited for visitors to encounter the poems. She says: “There’s so much to be inspired by in the blossom at Killerton and we’ve really been seeing that in the diversity of work we’re being sent from the community groups who are visiting. We have had six groups visit so far and the poetry that is being created is wonderful, I can’t wait to share them all with visitors.” 

Killerton Springs into Rhyme: A Blossom Poetry Display can be seen daily from now until 30 June.