Too bad the Cherry Blossom Festival had to be cancelled again this year because the Cherry Grove at VanDusen is looking pretty good at March 31, 2021. Beni-shidare and Snofozam both in full bloom.
VanDusen's 2015 commemorative Somei-Yoshino is doing well at full bloom on March 31, 2021. In much better shape than the Korean Pavilion which was smashed down by a Black Locust branch in our violent wind storm three days ago.
It was "Sold Out" at VanDusen Garden for Easter Sunday, with a lot of milling around the Cherry Grove to see: the waterfalls of Beni-Shidare. Outside the garden walls, the two Sargent Hybrids are in bloom along Oak Street (west side, south of W. 33rd); along with the Snow Goose just starting on April 4, 2021.
Here is a picture at April 4, 2021, of the blossoms fallen from the cherry tree which VanDusen has labelled "Korean Hill Cherry", a contentious designation given VanDusen's notorious history of cherry tree nomenclature. It is included here as a reminder that not even the experts can be right all the time.
Yes, I thought I remembered that we did not agree with this. The Korean Hill Cherry a block from me, in a much warmer neighbourhood, has tight buds and no lengthening of the pedicels yet. It's supposed to be late blooming.
Schmitt, you have never looked better; VanDusen is proud of you. In full bloom on a sunny April 12, 2021. Perfect view of: inrolled petals (the other inrolling petals belong to the Star Cherry); the retroflexed sepals of its Avium parent; light hairs on the pedicels; and, if you look over its shoulder, the Akebono trees and Grouse Mountain outside the VanDusen service gate.
At the bottom of VanDusen's Great Lawn, Snow Goose is in full bloom at April 12, 2021. How does it compare with its Seagull sibling on the RhododendronWalk? Here is Umineko getting sunshine on that crowded cherry tree bed on the Rhodo Walk at April 12, 2021. Note Yama-zakura's bronze colours are right behind white Umineko.
VanDusen should be very proud. It's hardly ever possible to even tell when these are in bloom, and it's very obvious here. You should be very pleased with that photo. VanDusen can be proud of that good-looking 'Snow Goose' as well.
The recent cold spell seems to be just what Yama-zakura likes, as it has reached out to encroach on the space of both Umineko and Somei-Yoshino to start its blooming at April 12, 2021. In the photo below Somei-Yoshino still looks fresh on the right; Umineko is on the right and Yama-zakura is surging behind both.
Nice day in Vandusen Garden . It is still pretty in the weeping cherry area, but if you look closely, the flowers almost past the peak stage.
What a pleasure to wake up every morning and witness this. You must have a permanent warm feeling inside. I know I would.
Yesterday , I found this interesting one hiding at the corner. If no one told me this is a special cherry tree, I would not take a look at it, but it is still lots of flower on the top.
I love it - 'Snofozam' photos followed by ito-zakura photos. Thank you, Janice! I am copying these to the Ornamental Cherries threads.
one Snow goose and two Spire on the east side of Vandusen . Outside the garden walls. Never walked to this location though I have been to VD many year.
I know there's a label, but I thought somewhere we decided they were Sargent hybrids. They're way too robust for 'Spire', around here anyway.
I love those labels and not stolen or covered in graffiti, as would definitely happen here in the UK. What wonderful teenagers you have there in Vancouver......... !!? Maybe, lol.
Thanks for the correction. I felt confused too, but there is the label. Maybe someone can ask VD to change it.
By happy co-incidence, Kiku-shidare-zakura is opening on VanDusen's Great Lawn at the same time that Yae-beni-shidare is in bloom, so we can compare them, should there be any confusion between the two. At April 15, 2021. Here are the dangling miniature roses of Yae-beni-shidare. Here are the round little pompoms of the Weeping Chrysanthemum Cherry—the two floral symbols of Japan in one botanical entity. "Kiku" is Japanese for chrysanthemum, and "zakura/sakura" for cherry. Overall tree shape may be similar since they're both "weepers" (shidare) but as VanDusen can prove, the blossoms are quite different.
And, they are not supposed to be in bloom at the same time, with 'Yae-beni-shidare' supposed to show up in early mid-season, or mid mid-season, and 'Kiku-shidare-zakura' supposed to be in late season. These things are so unruly.
The 'snow goose' in VanDusen is attractive to hummingbirds at least from my observation on April 11, 2021.
I have to ask Steven, what camera are you using for all these amazing photos? I'm sure everyone would like to know.
