Here is the new 'Shiro-fugen' at the RCMP headquarters, see Anne's posting #71, in bloom on April 15. This and the next photo were taken by Louisa Lo. We're concerned about this water reservoir in the trunk of the 'Jo-nioi' at the same location.
Re: Riley Park I found an impressive pair of avium 'Plena' last weekend, at 737 W 23rd, east of Willow, west of the lane
Keeping track of my photos isn't any easier than finding the trees. I see that I also found a 'Shiro-fugen' street tree on the east side of Ash, just north of the lane between 25th and King Edward.
The festival favourite 'Accolade' trees on Laurel from 18th to 20th have not been posted here since 2008. They're worth a visit. I'm not sure I've ever even seen them before. Here's a 'Beni-shidare' nearby, on 18th east of Cambie.
At the RCMP headquarters on W33rd and Heather, the Jo-nioi is blooming, but past it's peak. The Takasago is basically finished for the season.
The 'J0-nioi' at the RCMP building on Heather at 33rd is about the same stage it was at in the previous posting, taken last year on April 10. These photos are from April 30. We only know of one other of these trees, at VanDusen, a short drive or walk from here. The photo in the quoted post is from 2015. Now, two years later, the 'Shiro-fugen' is filling out nicely. I think the point of my second photo was to show that it's low grafted, with 'Shiro-fugen' growth off the trunk, but it is grafted, with some other tree growing from the soil.
Keeping tabs on the trees at the RCMP headquarters on Heather at 33rd. It's two years since we've posted them. The 'Jo-nioi' is at peak bloom, smells lovely. The 'Takasago' is well past bloom, but the tree is still there. The new 'Shiro-fugen' has grown quite a bit, only a few flowers open so far.
My Easter Parade route last weekend included West 39th from Willow to Cambie. Mike W. from the Vancouver Walking Meetup Group told me I was welcome to use his photo the 'Kanzan' trees all along 39th, Willow to Cambie. Thomas from the Vancouver Walking Meetup Group also posted some very nice photos, and told me I was welcome to use them on the forums and VCBF pages. All the rest of the photos in this posting are his. The tree photo here is also of the 'Kanzan' on 39th; I think the blossom photos are from these trees, but am not certain. I'd been wishing I had photographed the avium 'Plena' trees on Heather both ways from 39th; Thomas posted this photo, which I am happy to be able to use on the festival Blooming Now page. On the southwest corner of 39th and Heather is what I take to be half a 'Shiro-fugen', but it's a good large half, and it's not on the map, but will be soon. At the end of our walk, on 39th just east of Ash, is one of these great "magic" trees with two kinds of flowers. The avium rootstock has mostly taken over, but the 'Kanzan' is still hanging in there.
The Somei Yoshino arch over the central pathway in Douglas Park (Willow to Laurel, W. 20th to W. 22nd) is in full bloom April 6, 2020.
Choshu-hizakura is in full bloom on private front yard, south side W.27th, between Ash and Cambie at April 11, 2020.
The Ukon trees on both sides of Baillie, south of W. 37th, have started their bloom on April 13, 2020.
Takasago is finishing its bloom at the old RCMP buildings, west side Heather, south W. 33rd, April 13, 2020.
New planting of Ama-no-gawa for new development at NW corner of King Edward and Ash, blooming April 13, 2020.
Magnificent, mature Yae-beni-shidare looks like it's flowering down in waves to the yard at 844 W. 24 (south side), east of Laurel. In peak bloom April 14, 2020.
At the old RCMP site on the west side of Heather, south of W.33rd, Jo-nioi has started its bloom with fresh shoots on April 16, 2020. The new growth will hide the gaping hole left when a branch was chopped off. Still fragrant!
The single Kiku-zakura tree at 931 W. 21st (north side, just west of Laurel, behind Douglas Park Community Centre) has opened its first flowers despite the construction going on around it. There's an ominous-looking growth in its trunk though. Behind it, one of the two Takasago on the street is visible. But they're both ugly trees, and after the Takasago Beauty Queen in Grandview-Woodlands, I can't post any more hideous Takasago trees. At April 17, 2020.
Anne Eng has recently posted both these trees at the RCMP Headquarters. I know so little about how trees grow, but I'm hoping that all this new growth can keep the tree alive, even though the trunk it's growing from seems to be falling apart. Here is the 'Takasago', lots of dead areas on the tree, some of it off the tree. But the new flowering branches look almost free of disease. There are still a few buds. The red centres on the older flowers look particularly attractive. The 'Jo-nioi' is in similar condition, bits of it littering the ground. Not so far from this location are whole block or more single-cultivar plantings south of 37th: avium 'Plena' on Heather and 'Ukon' on Baillie. I was so surprised to see the avium 'Plena' in full bloom - they were not open at all yesterday across the street from me in the West End. This year is still weird.
Ama-no-gawa past peak bloom at 838 W. 16 (south side, west of Willow) on April 23, 2020. Note the weeping position of some branches.
we detoured off the bike route over to RCMP headquarters to check out the 3 trees there. a young multi-branching 'Shiro-Fugen'. Bronze new growth. the trio pic, the 'Shirofugen is on the far left (east)of the photo, 'Takasago' middle, and 'Jo-Noi' on the far right (west)
Nice young Shogetsu in bloom on south side of W. 17, east of Oak at April 24, 2020. You can see the fringe-edged petals, even while in bud.
Next the pink one that i didn't know what it was.....until consulting the neighbourhood maps. Even though I know Anne has told me before, and I have it written down in my book, I could not remember what it was. It looked a bit single to me, but i have now read that 'Takasago' can be not so double every year. The centres do become that nice deep reddish purple as they fade. there is sometimes and extra sepal.....but i didn't know to look for that at the time. the pedicel is also quite short which gives it an appearance of a pom pom when just blossoming. The one pic reminds me of the annual Cosmos. with the deep rose/purple centre.
