Sakura Watch May 14, 2023 - Other Japanese blossoms, Akebono and Fugenzo, are now blooming in High Park!
Sakura Watch May 14, 2023 - Other Japanese blossoms, Akebono and Fugenzo, are now blooming in High Park! Even though the peak bloom has now passed, with only a few tiny hints still left behind, that’s not to say that there isn’t more still to see.
High Park is also home to other varieties of Japanese cherry blossoms known as Akebono and Fegenzo. These tend to bloom later in mid-May and can be found at the bottom of the path on Cherry Hill.
Watch the Youtube video update below.
What are Akebono & Fugenzo Blossoms?
These blossoms are larger and fuller in appearance, with multi-layered petals. They tend to hang down due to their weight but are easily visible in groups. Their colours can vary between white and pink.
The copper and bronze-coloured leaves offer a dramatic backdrop to the beautifully puffy flowers. These blooms are more resilient and are better able to withstand winds and rain, which helps them to keep their bloom for up to two weeks or even more.
Though there are only a few in number, they can be found at the base of Cherry Hill, and also a larger group along Grenadier Pond, adjacent to the Maple Leaf Garden.
Here are some photos of these other blossom varieties below:
Happy Mother’s Day
The weather is wonderful, so enjoy the park this Mother’s Day! Though the peak bloom may be over, there are still many other wonderful flowers and trees to enjoy beyond the Japanese blossoms. Tulips, forsythia and magnolias are all in bloom, and just getting outside and enjoying the sun and nature, in general, is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Do remember there is NO vehicle access on weekends. It will be crowded in the afternoons and evenings, so plan ahead or take TTC or other means to avoid hassles.
Hope everyone has a great weekend, and watch for more updates soon!
Do Your Part to Help the Trees from Damage
As much fun as it is to get up close to enjoy the cherry blossoms truly, there are some who take it a bit too far and cause damage to the tree that can lead to irreparable harm so the trees can not protect themselves from insects and disease and eventually die. This leaves us with less mature trees to enjoy, so please, if you really want to enjoy the blossoms for many years to come, you need to do your part to help protect the trees and prevent any harm to them:
Don’t pick or break off any blossoms
Don’t pull down, shake or break off the branches
Don’t climb, sit or stand on the trunks or branches - the mature trees are very old and not strong enough to support the weight and stress of people, even small children!
Don’t leave any litter IN or around the trees - it’s so sad to see people putting their garbage in the hollow trunks of the older trees, which invites animals and other insects to nest inside and cause internal damage.
DO take photos without harming the trees
DO enjoy the blossoms and respect their immediate surroundings
DO remember that respecting the trees from root to branch will help everyone to enjoy the blooming trees for many years to come
Donate to Support The Cherry Blossoms
The City of Toronto now accepts donations to help maintain existing trees and plant future ones. See this link for details.
Read more details and information on the City of Toronto - Cherry Blossom Website
Thank you all for visiting the site. Be careful, be safe, and watch for more updates soon.