This 'Somei-yoshino' on Westminster Hwy in front of The Bay is already in full bloom. While the one in Minoru Park just a 10-min walk away is only at about 30%.
I checked my archives, I visited these trees last year on Apr. 2. Though they were further along then and had more leaves, the majority of the blooms were still there and still looked good. It seems they last longer than Whitcomb. I'll keep an eye on them and see how they do next week.
The two Yoshino cherry trees are open now. Photos were taken from inside the car. I didn't get time to take a closer look at the flowers yesterday. Will need to go back in the next couple of days.
Are these Somei-yoshino or Akebono? Blooming near 4600No. 3 Road east side of the road, one was in almost full bloom but another tree beside it wasn’t blooming at all but three trees along No. 3 Roads were blooming already. Three trees along No. Road still looked very young. Photos from Mar. 24, 2022.
These are 'Akebono'. In the blossom photo, the flower closest to the middle at the bottom has what looks like an extra half-petal (petaloid). 'Somei-yoshino' don't do that. Unfortunately this year, 'Akebono' are rarely doing that, but it looks like you found one. The 'Akebono' page in our Ornamental Cherries in Vancouver book has a good photo with one.
Found two 'Shosar' tucked away in Mariner's Village. The 'Schmitt' inside the same residential complex is also starting to bloom. I'm adding two more photos taken a week ago on March 19th.
In Richmond 'Akebono' are now blooming everywhere. This year they are a week early than last, if not more. 'Akebono' on No.1 Road close to River Road are at 95% (if not 100%) bloom yesterday. I'm guessing the same for the ones inside the Terra Nova Housing Co-op. Meanwhile, in Steveston, the ones in Garry Point Park are about 80% open. About 10 mins walk away, the little grove on Garry St is at about 90%.
Wendy came out to Richmond this afternoon and we had a nice walk in Steveston and Terra Nova. Here are the 'Akebono' trees blooming beautifully while people are chilling and taking photographs. And these are the 'Akebono' in Terra Nova. A couple of 'Shirotae' are starting to bloom as well.
Yesterday at Minoru Park, 'Akebono' and 'Accolade' blooming together, albeit the latter almost at its end. 'Somei-yoshino' by the chapel was also in full bloom. And close by on Minoru Road between Gollner & Westminster Hwy, 'Shirotae' inside the fence of Minoru Residence are in bloom.
There are several weeping cherry trees on Regent Street in Steveston, although sadly pruned. :( Three 'Beni-shidare' in front of 3257 and 3259. The following three are all single white. I'm making IDs based on my guesses and guidance from Wendy when I showed her some of the photos yesterday. But she had to look at them on my tiny camera screen under the sun. Plus I didn't take notes so I could very well remember things wrong. This one is at 3451 Regent St. 'Sendai-shidare'? Peeking from the hedge fence of 3631 Regent St, 'Snofozam'? Two trees in front of 3851 Regent St. They look just like the white form of 'Beni-shidare' and they attracted so many bees (or wasps...). Wendy said they are probably Ito-zakura.
I met Veronika at this tree, but it turns out neither of us took photos of it. I did this flower comparison, and I was pretty sure that it's 'Somei-yoshino'. Veronika posted a bud photo of the comparison 'Akebono' at Richmond. Here it is in bloom.
'Akebono' on No.1 Rd between Westminster Hwy and River Road today. Among these 'Akebono', there is a very young tree that looks like 'Colt'. It's close to River Road. You can see in the first photo from above that it's right by the Home Depot bags. I don't seem to recall it there before, must be new. Kind of awkward among all the 'Akebono' though...
Mar 31, 2022 It was a very nice day so went to Steveston Village to check out the Garry Point Park. Even though it was week day parking lot was very busy. Cars coming and going constantly. But my favorite was this white blossom located at the corner of Chatham and No.1 Road. I think it is Shirotae but not sure. It was gorgeous!
'Shirotae' on the corner of Lynas Lane and River Rd 4/9/2022 'Ichiyo', 'Kanzan' at 5880 Dover Crescent 'Kanzan' near Dover Crescent
The five trees of 'Ama-no-gawa' are in full bloom on the east sided of No. 1 Road, north of Chatham in Steveston, at April 23, 2022.
'Ama-no-gawa' are nice and everything, but look at that BIG lawn, just crying out for a BIG, WIDE tree. How about a lawn-full of 'Tai-haku' or 'Shiro-fugen'? Who would choose a skinny tree like that for a site like that?!
‘Whitcomb’ on Hazelbridge and Alexandra are about 50% of their former selves. Attempting to bloom, though.
This is not "in bloom" yet. These pink buds are totally missing on West End 'Whitcomb' trees. Thanks for posting these. So this is pretty confusing. This cultivar is early-blooming, which means the West End buds were developed enough to get killed in the January frost. But Richmond is also a warm neighbourhood. The story should have been the same as in the West End. These trees will have colour, so will be worth a visit by someone who wants to see what this cultivar looks like. Before you posted this, I was thinking I would just show all 'Whitcomb' as finished on the map, since nothing I've seen has shown any colour or buds to produce any colour. I like that second photo, might have to do a vcbf website page on 'Whitcomb' after all.
