Types Of Cherry Blossom Trees and When Do They Bloom in Ontario
If you've ever strolled through a spring park and found yourself surrounded by sea-pink clouds of blooming petals, then you know exactly how magical the cherry blossom experience is.
Types Of Cherry Blossom Trees and When Do They Bloom
A Sweet Little Guide to Ontario’s Sakura SeasonIf you've ever strolled through a spring park and found yourself surrounded by sea-pink clouds of blooming petals, then you know exactly how magical the cherry blossom experience is. The trees all seem to have joined forces to stage the most subtle flower party imaginable, and we are all invited.
In Ontario, this sakura season is brief, sweet, and oh-so-beautiful. But if you're asking yourself when exactly to catch it before blossoms drift away like confetti, you're not alone. Let's get into all the good things: when cherry blossoms bloom in Ontario, what types of sakura trees to look for, and where to appreciate the beauty.
So... When Do Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Ontario?
Oh, the big question! Cherry blossoms in Ontario usually bloom towards late April and early May, depending on how hot or cold spring was. If it gets hot at the beginning of spring, they arrive earlier. But a long winter will hold them up a bit.
Toronto usually sees its sakura cherry blossom tree bloom around the last week of April, and the peak usually lasts a week or two (if we’re lucky). But it’s a short window—sometimes even just a few days if there's heavy rain or strong wind. Nature’s a little dramatic like that.
Types of Cherry Blossoms Trees in Ontario
While cherry blossoms are generally found across East Asia, they're often associated with Japan as they are heavily tied into Japanese culture and folklore, as well as being the “unofficial” national flower of Japan. That explains why a lot of people know the Japanese name for cherry blossoms - Sakura!
Sakura cherry blossom trees are known for their exquisite beauty as well as their short lifespan, blooming for only a handful days, signalling the start of spring. However, not all cherry blossom varieties are the same. In fact, there are many different types of cherry blossom trees. Following are 5 of the most common cherry blossom trees - when you go to watch cherry blossom trees in Ontario, try to spot all 5:
1. Somei Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry): This is the most famous sakura cherry blossom tree, and the one you’ll see all over High Park. It’s known for its pale pink-to-white blossoms and super fluffy blooms. These guys usually bloom first and put on a dramatic show.
2. Shidarezakura (Weeping Cherry): These trees have drooping branches like a weeping willow, covered in soft pink flowers. Super romantic and fairy-tale like.
3. Kanzan (Kwanzan Cherry): These bloom a bit later and have bold, bright pink double-layered flowers that are super full and lush. Like pom-poms on a tree.
4. Fugenzo (Fugen Cherry): Big, ruffled flowers with a pale pink, sweet color. These trees usually have green leaves bursting through the flowers, which makes them look even more amazing.
5. Ichiyo: Same as Kanzan but with a softer appearance. Light pink double flowers, and they sorta look like little rosettes. Each type blooms at slightly different times, which is actually neat if you're trying to catch more than one wave of cherry blossom action instead of just one.
Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Ontario?
You don’t have to fly all the way to Japan to enjoy cherry blossoms. Ontario’s got its fair share of sakura spots. Basically, if there’s a Japanese garden or a city with ties to Japanese culture, there’s a good chance they’ve planted a few sakura trees.
Here are a few you can add to your spring bucket list:
High Park, Toronto – The OG cherry blossom watching spot. With over 2,000 trees gifted from Japan in 1959, this is the place to be when those beautiful sakuras start blooming and popping.
Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington – Gorgeous gardens + cherry trees = perfection.
Kariya Park, Mississauga – Named after Mississauga’s sister city in Japan, this little park is a hidden gem. Here you can do duck watching, watch a nice skyline of the city and walk through rows of cherry blossom trees. It’s on the smaller side though and can get crowded on weekends, so plan accordingly.
University of Toronto (St. George campus) - The Robarts Library area gets super pretty during the cherry blossom bloom season.
Spencer Smith Park, Burlington – Right by the lake, and lovely for a slow spring stroll. Plan a whole day picnic, relax on the grass, take in the beautiful cherry blossom views and stroll by the lakeside. We call it a day well, well spent!
Tips for Enjoying Cherry Blossom Season (Without Stress)
Let’s be real—cherry blossom viewing can get a little... intense. Crowds, weather, and timing don’t always line up perfectly. So here are a few real-life tips:
Go early in the morning if you want fewer people and better light for photos.
Check the bloom updates daily during late April—it’s worth it.
Bring snacks and chill — why not make a picnic out of it?
A Final Petal of Thought
The cherry blossom season in Ontario is fleeting - blink and you’ll miss it. However, if you are up for the challenge, checking local blooming updates, etc. you are likely to experience a magical spectacle that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Apart from symbolizing the start of spring, cherry blossoms also symbolize the fleetness of life and the importance of being on your toes to catch as much beauty in the world as possible.
From the delicate Somei Yoshino to the splashed Kanzan, each cherry blossom variety brings a little happiness to our spring—and we could all stand to have a little more of it.
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