The three big Shirotae at the Dumfries entrance of Kensington Community Centre are in bloom at April 8, 2020, even if there is no one around to admire them.
The four short Shirotae trees in the playground area of Queen Alexandra School (north side E. 10th, east of Clark) are in bloom April 8, 2020. Note in the last picture, emergent pink buds become white buds before blooming into white flowers.
While Anne was off hunting Shirotae and other such in QE Park, I went looking for them in my neighbourhood ... There was this one, on private property, on the lane just north of McBride Annex school (31st Ave. west of Windsor, previously posted), which probably needs a few more days: And then nearby, this Yae-beni-shidare on the south side of 33rd Ave. at St. Catherines is almost in full bloom: And the one on the north side of 26th Ave. between St. Catherines and Windsor is, too: The Shirotae on the north side of King Edward between Windsor and St. Catherines is also in bloom:
32nd and Prince Albert has yielded some nice discoveries - one Yae-beni-shidare in full bloom on the north side, mid-block: And an Akebono or Somei-Yoshino, at the end of its bloom, on the southwest corner:
It may have only one miserable branch left, but it's like the Napoleon of Kiku-shidares, stubbornly putting out its blossoms on the west side of Victoria, at the alley just south of E. 10th, April 13, 2020.
Trout Lake Community Centre has hidden these four Shirotae in its back pocket, access off E. 19th, just east of Victoria. In full bloom at April 13, 2020.
Shirotae and Rancho both just past peak bloom on west side of Nanaimo, north of E. 20 at April 13, 2020.
Now there's a nice spot for a 'Shirotae', with all the room it wants to spread out. And the upright 'Rancho' is even at the narrower end of the boulevard. I had to stop myself from saying that the 'Kiku-shidare-zakura' was good-looking for that cultivar! I think I remember one that was almost healthy, maybe in 'Killarney' somewhere.
With all this sunshine in April, Ukon is pushing the envelope at Kensington Community Centre ; in full bloom already on April 13, 2020.
One cannot help but get a sinking feeling today when viewing the great Tai-haku at NE corner of Fleming and E. 39th. It's looking very arthritic, with many bare branches and a general weakening rightwards. It's even got a shoot growing upwards near the base, which, while allowing a photo of the back of the flowers, is too reminiscent of a last gasp of life force. We must be prepared for the worst.
One of the Ama-no-gawa trees on the NE corner of E. 30th and Fraser, leaping ahead of the rest of the gang, is in bloom at April 13, 2020.
On E. 29th, east of Knight, you can find Ukon, Shirotae, Rancho (now finished) and Kanzan. Ukon in bloom at April 15, 2020. Shirotae past peak bloom at April 15, 2020. Note the Avium shoots surrounding all around the bottom. Last photo of Avium's retroflex sepals. Kanzan starting to open, from the middle up.
These two Ama-no-gawa trees not only have Avium trees growing on both sides, but Avium's mark of Cain has embraced one of them around the base. The Ama-no-gawa pinks are holding on for now in the Medical Building parking lot of 1750 E. 10th (east of Commercial). In bloom at April 15, 2020.
Kanzan, as far as the eye can see. These are at 21st and Clark, looking east: ... and these are at 20th & Clark, looking both east and west: Of course, these were all just on my way to see the Avium plena on 20th Ave. starting about half a block east of Knight and then ending at Dumfries: Heading south on the Dumfries bike route, I found this perfect bicolour specimen - two branches of Kanzan growing out of a sweet cherry at 21st & Dumfries, north side: Also, the Ukon that Anne mentioned on 29th east of Knight are looking pretty good - note how they almost pick up the chartreuse colour of the taxi parked underneath: However, I would say that the festival favourite Kanzan at 29th & Ross are not quite ready yet:
Kiku-shidare in bloom on south side E. 36, west of Knight. A short tree, but actually looks half-decent on April 17, 2020.
Laura said: Heading south on the Dumfries bike route, I found this perfect bicolour specimen - two branches of Kanzan growing out of a sweet cherry at 21st & Dumfries, north side: View attachment 174345 View attachment 174347 View attachment 174348 Here's a photo of the full tree, the Avium rootstock that took over one of Kanzans planted along E. 21st. The Kanzan is trying to hang on, but it's only a matter of time before Avium frees itself of the foreign intruder.
Festival favourite Kanzan at 29th & Ross is now in full bloom: Taken looking east from 29th & Elgin: Then from the middle of the traffic circle at 29th & Ross, looking south, east, and west: If you're longing for a view to the north (with the mountains, which were a bit hazy today), you can either walk to 31st and Ross and look north, or you can head two blocks west and one one block north, to 28th and St. Catherines:
The Ama-no-gawa trees along the west and south side of the Shopper's Drug Mart at 30th & Fraser are now in full bloom: