Downtown

The 100 Akebono in David Lam Park are starting to blossom now. Even the sole Somei Yoshino is in full bud but a bit behind most of the Akebono. With a couple more days of warmth and sun, the usual spectacular display will appear.

 

The 3 Akebono at Cooper's Park just west of the north end of Cambie Bridge on the seawall are starting to blossom as are the row of Akebono along the Marinaside townhomes.

 

That was Friday; I didn't come on the weekend. Today, Monday, is Peak Bloom of the 'Akebono' blossoms at Burrard Station (Art Phillips Park). My twig on which I was showing buds and pedicel length every day has all flowers open, as do most of the trees. I was told that they did not appear to be in full bloom yesterday morning. The four new trees at the street opened ahead of the others.

 

One day later, 'Akebono' at Burrard Station - I couldn't help myself.

Somebody there showed me how she did artful portrait blossom photos on her iPhone. I don't know if I can do the same on my Samsung or not, but I tried the portrait thing. Only a few of them sort-of worked.

 

I was reminded of the Cherry Blossom afternoon tea at the Hotel Vancouver's Notch8 restaurant. I'm glad I asked the maître d' if I could have a look, so she escorted me. I'd never have found the room behind this bookcase. It's not offered on Mondays or Tuesdays.

 

There are a lot of open flowers on this 'Shirotae' at the Electra building on Nelson and Burrard.

 

The Akebono at Coopers Park, Marinaside seawall and Yaletown House are now in full bloom on a grey morning and so are the Shirotae in Helmcken Park. Even the Beatty Mews Kanzen are awakening with a few bronze leaves on display pre bud.

 

This afternoon at Burrard & Georgia (the Burrard Skytrain (well at this station, it’s a vintage CPR railroad tunnel below ground) — @wcutler has been tracking these trees

which name are they? (See photo)

the 2nd is outside the heritage Anglican Christ Church Cathedral at same intersection

the sakura tea @wcutler posted above is at Hotel Vancouver behind photographer

 

They are 'Akebono'. Thank you - I have edited some of the postings to insert the cultivar name.

 

What is the youngster tree beside CC Cathedral - photo above

 

All of the Akebono (about 100) in David Lam Park and the lone Somei Yoshino are in full bloom on a grey damp morning. Hopefully they hang on until the lighting display event next week and if they do, the 3 evening event should be great.

 

Looks like another good location to compare ‘Akebono’ with ‘Somei-yoshino’. I didn’t know about the loner.

 

Lots of ‘Akebono’ on West Georgia Street and lots of people enjoying them this morning. Nice to see.


Pair of side by side blossoms with petaloids, too.

 

The youngster is 'Akebono' - did I answer that? Between that and the corner at Georgia are two larger 'Ichiyo' that are at around 50% blooming now.

 

A friend of mine sent me this photo of ‘Akebono’ at David Lam Park. Photo taken today.

 

The Kanzan along Davie St from Homer St west are looking nice now.

 

3 Ukon remain and still look good

 

Here is another good time for tree comparisons - it's so easy to distinguish 'Shogetsu' and 'Shiro-fugen' when the buds are opening. These were taken at the courtyard on West Georgia just west of Bute.
'Shogetsu' open earlier, with green leaves.


'Shiro-fugen' have a brownish tinge to their buds, and the leaves are bronze.


Sometimes 'Shirotae' are still around to cause some confusion, but their flower stems are generally shorter than for 'Shogetsu' (giving no impression of moonlight on pine trees), they have fewer petals not as neatly layered, and the flowers are well past their best-looking, now withered with dried-out brown spotting. I couldn't bring myself to take a blossom photo here at The Lions on the south side of West Georgia between Jervis and Broughton, technically in the West End neighbourhood.

 

'Kanzan' are opening quickly now. This tree is on Bute north of West Georgia. Note that this and the 'Shogetsu' and 'Shiro-fugen' in the above posting are late-season trees.

 

Kanzan in bloom all over downtown now - Beatty Mews, Victory Square, Vancouver Playhouse, Pacific Place Landmark 1 (this is on a strata back courtyard but open to casual viewing)

 

The Beatty Mews Kanzan canopy were looking great throughout today. Best sun is at 3 pm. There are some shots from up on the walkway looking down at the tops of the trees. Blossoms are full and just starting to fall. As you might see, there are others enjoying the bountiful pink blossoms in the calm sun.