By Megan Campagnolo @Meggonoke
A familiar buzz of a bee, the sweet scent of pollen on the wind and a morning alarm of songbirds - the gloom of winter has finally released us, into the open arms of longer and warmer days.
Springtime welcomes new growth, the naked trees return to full green canopies and flower buds begin to pop from the dirt. In Vancouver, it rains an average of 165.1 days in a year. So, with the first signs of spring in the air, it's time to venture outdoors for some much-needed sunshine and to get a boost in mood and creativity.
For over 60 years, Vancouver has celebrated the arrival of spring with fluffy clouds of pink blossoms from the cherry and plum trees lining the city’s streets and sidewalks. Of the 43,000 cherry trees growing in Vancouver today - the original 500 were gifted in the 1930s from the mayors of Kobe and Yokohama. The trees were given to honour those Japanese Canadians who served in WWI. In 1958 the Japanese consul donated 300 more as “an eternal memory of good friendship between our two nations.”
Megan Campagnolo
Mount Pleasant streets lined with trees
Where to see Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver
*Please note, following the recent provincial and federal health updates - large group gatherings should be avoided and many upcoming events have been cancelled for 2020.
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual celebration, inspired by the Japanese cultural tradition of Hanami, (花見) flower viewing. The festival was created to recognize the gift of the trees and to celebrate their beauty and the joy brought to everyone. Festival activities include free concerts, food trucks, Bike the Blossoms, Tree Talks & Walks, the ticketed Sakura Night with Top Chefs, and more.
April 2 - 26, 2020
Megan Campagnolo
Blossoms curling around a lamp post on the corner of Scotia and 7th in Mount Pleasant
Drift through the pink haze while taking a thoughtful walk or sit beneath the blooming trees with friends, food and drink at a picnic party. Plan your own Hanami and visit different parks around Vancouver.
Queen Elizabeth Park is home to a quarry garden and arboretum. As it’s the highest point in Vancouver, it also provides views of the park, city, and mountains. Located near the Canada Line, it’s a perfect spot to meet a group of people.
Rows of cherry trees can be found in Stanley Park near the formal rose garden and the Japanese Canadian WWI war memorial. The park provides many other activities and sights - You can take the seawall around the park or venture into the trees along well-maintained paved and dirt trails. Drive through and pay to park - there are day parking passes available if you plan to spend the day. However, you can experience more by walking or biking. Transit can also be combined by taking the #19 bus into the park.
For a fee, visit VanDusen Botanical Garden, where you’ll find over 100 cherry trees of 24 varieties. There is always something blooming within the 55 acres so be sure to check out the bloom calendar before visiting their website.
Wildlife lovers can also spot many birds, turtles, bees and butterflies. It's about a 16-minute walk from Queen Elizabeth Park - so you can see both parks in one day.
The Nitobe Memorial Garden, located at the University of British Columbia (UBC), is regarded as the most authentic Japanese garden in North America. Here you can experience the cherry trees in a traditional Japanese garden setting. The peaceful atmosphere invites visitors year-round.
Cherry trees can be seen all over the city. If your time in Vancouver is just as fleeting as the blossoms - search the Vancouver BC Ornamental Cherries map, and find neighbourhoods nearby to visit.
Megan Campagnolo
Blossom confetti freckles the stone walkway with reflections of the trees in the windows.
Other Spring Flower Festivals: