Riley Park

Spectacular planting - from 28th to 30th on Sophia - with one Shirofugen on each end, and all the rest are Kanzan - the photos do not do it justice:


Note: The two shirofugen are on the SW corner of 28th and the NE corner of 30th, making for an interesting diagonal framing, but I guess you'd only be able to see the whole thing with a drone.

 

#238 Lisa: last of the blossoms on the great 'Somei-Yoshino'. Fading to dark pink...
It's very dark pink, isn't it? Hard to believe the flower actually darkens as it dies.

 

It seems funny - the pink ones seem to go white when they age; the white ones go pink. At some point, 'Kanzan' and 'Shiro-fugen' flowers are the same colour.

 

Shiro-fugen is in bloom at Mountain View Cemetery (west of Fraser, north of E. 41st) on April 25, 2020. Many trees on the grounds. Note the odd flower has an extra sepal.

 

While Shiro-fugen is in its early bloom, the many Kanzan opened earlier at Mountain View Cemetery (west of Fraser, north of E. 41st). Flowers just starting to fade a little on April 25, 2020.

 

Anne has been doing a series on flowers with extra sepals. Or maybe I'm doing the series - she's been posting them; I decided to start collecting them.

 

Next week you will be able to post those two trees again and I won't be able to tell which is which. Unless you include blossom photos like today's where the 'Shiro-fugen' peduncles (the upper flower stems) are so much longer than in the 'Kanzan' photo.

 

We were up there yesterday and there is a newer planting of 'Shirofugen' close to the crematorium. Under 2 of them they have allowed all the grape hyacinths to grow up and it was quite beautiful....

 

Not sure which cherry this is but the neighborhood maps does have a listing for an Accolade in this area. This one on the SW corner of Sophia and 18th. Not great pics, and the poor tree is looking very tired and twiggy. The description on scout corner does say translucent and the one photo does show that I think. The description also says bright pink, but this one seems a rather soft pink, with the darker line and blotch at tip of notch in petal on the reverse. Anne? Wendy? anyone?? can you confirm?

 

Sure, 'Accolade'. It's definitely a cherry, and there's nothing else double like that in the running. 'Autumnalis Rosea' are smaller and messier-looking than these. These are always so attractive at the stage where there are pink buds and the flowers opening much lighter pinky-white.

 

The two Accolades on E. 30th (between Sophia and John) have started their bloom at March 13, 2021.

 

Pandora is looking good, in full bloom on east side of Quebec, south of E. 27 at March 27, 2021.

 

Grand old Somei-Yoshino under fenced protection as its house is being renovated, in full bloom on north side of E. Woodstock, west of Prince Edward, at March 31, 2021.

 

This planting of fifteen Akebonos in Mountain View Cemetery, by the Buddhist shrine, might actually be Somei-Yoshino:

Note: Previously posted here: in https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/riley-park.36464/page-7#post-380090

 

I agree on 'Somei-yoshino'. I'm going to save one I want to use as that.

 

The Akebono tree is completely overshadowing the retreating Beni-shidare on the west side of John Street (north of E. 28th) at April 3, 2021. From a distance they both look the same shade of pink, until you get closer.

 

Yeah, it's kind of strange that the pink flowers fade to white and the white ones age to pink.

 

The Sargent hybrid trees on both sides of E. 27 (from Fraser west to St. George) have passed peak bloom, are shedding and showing red eye on April 3, 2021.

 

Older Akebono in full bloom at QE park last Thursday. I think I saw a petaloid on one of the blossoms. This group just on the East side of the Lower Road by the duck pond as you go up the hill from Dimont Dr.

 

the shade growing, spindly Akebono on the path up from the duck pond to the Quarry garden at QE park. Still hanging on.

 

The grand dame Somei-yoshino at the top of QE is out in full bloom. Thursday afternoon some families enjoying the blossoms.

 

Group of older Akebono on the west side of QE as you come down the path from the Grand Dame and cross the roadway. this group nestled between 33rd and Kersland Drive. Lots of people enjoying these blossoms.

 

Still a mystery group of trees at the top of the reservoir, on the west side as you approach from the west side look out heading to the fountain. Not much pink in bud at this time?? I am seeing hairs on the pedicel so is it Akebono ?, but it is so much whiter that the other Akebono seen on Thursday's visit to QE. is it Somei-yoshino? maybe someone can see if there is a petaloid? i couldn't see any, but it was a windy afternoon.

 

I've been calling these 'Somei-yoshino', because of the habit (tree shape) and the big stars in the centre of the flowers when you look down on them (not a characteristic approved by Douglas Justice for ID, and it only works for me when it works, which is not always).

 

Ok, Sounds good to me. The big stars are quite noticeable. I have a another group that i am about to post, similar characteristics, and these 2 trees are on the east side of the reservoir close to the poor old ginkgo that has multi leaders.