Park Road just north of Gibsons Way intersection — and also on south side Gibsons Way (entrance to curling rink) lots of pretty trees - maybe 6 … more Akebono ?
Nice location for Hanami at Sechelt Visitor Centre. Thirteen ‘Shirofugen’ planted here 15 years ago. Starting to bloom now. Should be good for a week or two.
Another nice spot for Hanami : At the Winegarten in Gibsons. One ‘Shirotae’ blooming now and one ‘Shirofugen’ to follow (no flowers open yet).
Two years ago the two ‘Shirotae’ at Tuwanek were doing just fine. See post #126. I was not prepared for what I saw there today. The first tree, which was in “very fine condition” is completely dead now, but still standing. The second tree which was “hanging in there, with the help of Canada Post” has been severely amputated. Looks dead. However, there are signs of life coming up from its roots. And they are actually little stems, with ‘Shirotae’ flowers. A root is visible on the surface 10 feet away from the amputee. The root appears to have been wrapped in black plastic. Does this mean the rootstock was ‘Shirotae’? I’m confused.
I don't think it's called "rootstock" when it's on its own roots. That just means it was probably not grafted, though I think that a tree that is low grafted can create its own roots around the rootstock, like a cutting does when you put it in soil. So it looks like 'Shirotae' suckers as badly as mazzard cherry does. I don't think I've seen that before. I assume the plastic stuff was put down under the bark mulch to prevent weeds growing (?), but it didn't stop the suckers from getting through. And how does water get to the roots then? Or they were trying to kill the roots?
The black plastic has a lot of gaps in it. Looks old, and water can definitely get through. There may be hope for the Canada Post ‘Shirotae’. But the other one is “deader than a doornail”.
Hanami with my neighbour Joy at Sechelt Visitor Centre. ‘Shirofugen’ just keep getting better and better.
Another loner - one ‘Shirotae’ at the west side of London Drugs in Gibsons. Seems to be a late bloomer. Photos taken May 3, 2023.
After reading Wendy’s note comparing ‘Shirofugen’ to ‘Kiku-zakura’ I was inspired to view the two ‘Shirofugen’ trees at Franklin and Cochrane in Gibsons today. I am not aware of any ‘Kiku-zakura’ on the Sunshine Coast. I was lucky enough to view the Grandview-Woodland trees in Vancouver earlier this month. The ‘Shirofugen’ may outlast the snow on Mt. Elphinstone this year.
Here’s another one. On Gibsons Way and Venture Way. This ‘Shirofugen’ has not developed its lateral growth habit (yet). I hope no one decides to give it a haircut.
830am PDT today and spotted the final hurrah beautiful I am adding the lovely euphorbia - allium bedding combo for contrast of the season apparently the large pine in background is a Coulter Pine known to California - so said municipal gardener Very nice spot - Sechelt visitor centre
Today tour is on Sunshine Coast at Sunnycrest Mall (Super Valu and LDrg) the beautiful autumn foliage comparison to spring of these « Gibsons Haircut » parking lot cherries Delivery trucks back in to them // salt and ice snow pile up around them // drought … these reliable trees keep on, keeping on here are some photos blossom is around April 24th, 2023 i don’t like to rush time, however it is amazing to think of the miraculous waft of blossoms getting ready to cheer us on a few short months PS - it is hard to see - direct in to sunlight - the two-tone blossom tree (white branches and pink branches) has a two tone fall foliage coat of many colours right now - very distinct
today is a better sun angle (as in, no sun :) to view one of the local infamous Gibsons Haircut blossom cherries A tree that is also 2 blossom colours (@wcutler has a separate thread for this ) Today it is interesting to see the 2 different autumn foliage colours as seen in attached photos I forget if the colorful autumn leaf branch side is pink blossom and the still-greenish leaf side is white blossom the blossom is usually late April spring. Amazing cherry leaf colours this autumn! I estimate this tree is approx 40 yr old and it appears to be grafted - no water, no food, a lot of old shopping carts camp near it and it keeps going with lovely colours
Most leaves are gone esp after the scary wind and rain storm Fri 10-Sat 11 (overnight) one thing I notice is how large the Kanzan leaves are compared to the other cherries in same parking lot (name?) i know another Kanzan nearby, and it also has very large leaves interesting to observe esp since I am focussed on blossoms — I like making this effort to view the trees’ other beautiful seasonal displays
