March 20, 2022. It’s a chilly rainy first day of spring here, but that’s keeping some of these ‘Whitcomb’ cherries lingering. The first photo was taken by May Lin in Langley; the second is by Shirley Willard in Gibsons. You can share your finds on our forums at VCBF Neighbourhood Blogs | UBC Botanical Garden Forums.
You can find photos previously featured here this year in the Album at https://v1.vcbf.ca/about/photo-gallery/blossoms-from-2022.
The First International Cherry Blossom Prediction Competition ended on February 28, 2022. Vancouver contributed a location for the competition: the ‘Akebono’ trees in Maple Grove Park, at the corner of SW Marine Drive and Yew Street. Douglas Justice, Associate Director, Horticulture & Collections at UBC Botanical Garden, has been photographing them beginning on March 10. These are so far pretty restrained, showing barely any discernable colour in this photo taken March 18. The same cultivar trees are about to pop open downtown and in the West End, and next week’s predicted 15C degree temperatures should hasten things along everywhere in the city.
Douglas’s photos beginning on March 10 are being collected in the thread at Appreciation: – First International Cherry Blossom Prediction Competition | UBC Botanical Garden Forums.
Festival Favourites in bloom
Some of our festival favourite photo-op locations will be shown here during the bloom season with current year photos and the approximate blooming dates. Red markers on our festival map show all our favourite locations. When we talk about Festival Favourites, we mean you will be happy you made the trip to see them to photograph them. When you’re there, remember the neighbours:
1) do not climb the trees
2) do not break the branches
3) be respectful of the residents who live on the street
4) do not stop in the middle of the street
5) keep your visit to a max of 15mins (cause really, how long does it take to snap a few photos?)
6) stay on city property, do not go on private property
7) try to stay off the grass, especially if you are wearing heels.
Mostly – be respectful to the environment and the residents. Remember that it is the residents who are responsible for caring for those trees.
Learn How to Take Cherry Blossom Photos with your phone thanks to Cakewalk Media for the tips!
Festival Favourites in bloom
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West End ‘Accolade’ Chilco mini-park Bloom Dates: Mar 8 to Mar 26 Read more at the UBC Botanical Garden Forums Blog for West End / Stanley Park |
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Mount Pleasant ‘Accolade’ Vancouver City Hall Bloom Dates: Mar 14 to Apr 3 Read more at the UBC Botanical Garden Forums Blog for Mount Pleasant |
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Marpole ‘Whitcomb’ Rockpoole Dr, north of 59th Bloom Dates: Mar 14 to Apr 3 Read more at the UBC Botanical Garden Forums Blog for Marpole |
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Kensington-Cedar Cottage ‘Accolade’ Dumfries near E. 33rd Avenue Bloom Dates: Mar 14 to Apr 3 Read more at the UBC Botanical Garden Forums Blog for Kensington-Cedar Cottage |
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Sunset ‘Whitcomb’ E. 59th Avenue, east of Main Street Bloom Dates: Mar 1 to Mar 26 Read more at the UBC Botanical Garden Forums Blog for Sunset |