Cherry blossoms will soon peak; here’s where to see them in Ontario
Published April 16, 2024 at 1:31 pm
It’s nearly that time of year again — cherry blossom trees are close to full bloom with beautiful pink and white flowers in parks across Ontario.
The peak bloom is expected to start this week in Toronto, according to Sakura Watch which posts updates on the blooms in Toronto’s High Park. Typically, full bloom starts a bit later in April.
The first full bloom was spotted in High Park on April 12 and the peak bloom, weather permitting, is expected to start as early as this Thursday (April 18) and continue until about April 24, according to Sakura Watch.
Full bloom is considered to be at least 75 per cent of the blossoms opened.
The bloom typically lasts only about a week and if there is poor weather such as high winds, heavy rain or a drop in temperature, the window to see the trees in full bloom is even shorter.
Blossoms about to open in High Park on April 14.
High Park has the largest number of cherry blossom trees in Ontario at 2,050 and typically gets huge crowds during the season. But there are many places to see the flowering trees in Ontario.
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In the Toronto area, one of the best places for viewing blossoms, aside from High Park, is Trinity Bellwoods Park at 790 Queen St. W. There are approximately 70 Sakura trees, which can be photographed with the iconic CN Tower in the background if you are standing in the right spot.
The second-largest collection of trees, at around 500 cherry blossom tress, is in Centennial Park at 256 Centennial Park Rd., Etobicoke.
Other Toronto spots include Edwards Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave. E.; at the University of Toronto Robarts Library, 130 St George St.; Toronto’s Japanese Cultural Centre, 6 Garamond Court; and Toronto’s Centre Island.
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In Mississauga, there are about 80 cherry blossom trees in Kariya Park, which typically reach peak a few days later than High Park.
People in Brampton may want to check out Joyce Archdekin Park on Main St. S. Last year the trees bloomed in late April.
In Burlington, the Royal Botanical Gardens and Spencer Smith Park are popular spots to see the blossoms.
People check out the cherry blossoms in High Park in 2023.
In Hamilton, Bayfront Park is lined with Sakura trees and Gage Park at 1000 Main St. E. is another popular spot to see the blossoms.
The Niagara Region also has plenty of good spots for flower viewing including Queenston Heights Park at 14184 Niagara Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens at 2565 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls.
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Many of the Sakura trees in Ontario were a gift from Japan and part of the Sakura Project.
Sakura is Japanese for cherry blossom. The blossoms are an important part of Japanese culture. As their presence is fleeting, cherry blossoms symbolize the transience of life, a major theme in Buddhism.
Cherry blossom trees have survived many years in Canada but their popularity has seen them abused in recent years.
Refraining from pulling on branches, climbing or hanging from the trees will leave them healthy for everyone to enjoy in years to come.
Photos: Karen Longwell
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