Spring has arrived, and the signs of the season have reached the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York City. The first cherry blossoms of the season have been spotted on the Prunus-sargentii “Fudan-zakura” and Prunus “Jugatsu-zakura” trees in the garden, located in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden and along the Cherry Walk. These trees are among the first to bloom in the impressive collection at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
The blooming of the cherry trees signals that spring has arrived in full force – a time also known as “Hanami,” the Japanese cultural tradition of savoring every moment of the season. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Hanami celebration 
takes place when over 200 cherry trees begin to bloom and scatter their petals across the Cherry Esplanade, Cherry Walk, and the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. The collection of trees is the most diverse anywhere in the country.
A series of related programs are offered at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden between April and May, featuring its annual “Sakura Matsuri” festival, tours, classes, and events for those who want to participate after work hours.
You can also follow the blooming on the Cherry-Watch page of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which is updated daily. The map provides “up-to-the-petal” bloom status for each tree, as well as detailed information about cultivation.
The New York Botanical Garden has a similar Cherry Tracker in the Bronx, although the flowers have not yet appeared, so stay tuned.
By Isaura La Cour