Sakura Watch, May 10, 2024–Fugenzo blossoms are in bloom in High Park, along with other flowers.
Sakura Watch, May 10, 2024–Fugenzo blossoms are in bloom in High Park, along with other flowers. You may be wondering if the cherry blossoms have fallen, why one more update? Well, did you know there’s another variety of Japanese cherry blossom that blooms later? Located at the bottom of Cherry Hill, you can find Fugenzo trees, which are another type of Japanese cherry blossom. These tend to bloom a week or two after the better-known Yoshino cherry blossoms have fallen. Read on to learn more about the Fugenzo blossoms in High Park…
Watch the Youtube video update below.
History behind the Fugenzo trees
For a little history, in April 2001, High Park was gifted 34 Fugenzo and Akebono trees as part of the Sakura Project. The gifted trees were seen as a symbol of friendship and goodwill between Japan and Canada. This is commemorated in a plaque that can be found between two Fugenzo trees located right behind the Maple Leaf Garden.
The first large gift of 1000 Japanese Sakura trees in 1959 was an opening gesture of thanks to the people of Toronto and Canada for our support of Japanese-Canadian refugees after the Second World War. The Sakura Project was later created to continue the tradition, gradually adding more trees throughout the park over the years until the program ended in 2008. However, the harsh effects of weather, natural pests, and disrespectful visitors have all contributed to the dwindling number of trees down to the few we can still find in the park today. To me, this marks all the more reason to cherish these trees for the special blooming gifts they offer each spring.
Fugenzo is the late-blooming cherry blossom
The first small grouping of three (3) trees can be found at the bottom of Cherry Hill near Grenadier Pond and the base of the Japanese Garden. The Fugenzo cherry blossoms are much larger, fluffier, and puffier–almost like a carnation in size and shape. They tend to have many more layered petals, which makes them much more robust and resilient against rain and wind. This, in turn, helps them to stain in bloom for longer periods, depending on the weather. Also larger in appearance, they are usually offset by the bronze-coloured leaves that contrast the bright pink and creamy white colours. Here are a few photos from this area:
Original trees by Grenadier Pond and the DOck
The original trees, along with a commemorative plaque, can be found off the banks of Grenadier Pond, just behind the Maple Leaf Garden. Here, you will find the largest group of Fugenzo trees in High Park, about 7 in my count today. As mentioned earlier, the creamy-coloured bright flowers and darker leaves are eye-catching even from a distance and invite one to come closer to look. But remember not to get too close or pull, break or otherwise damage the trees, especially as most of these tend to have lower-lying branches and are smaller overall, taking pictures easily without disturbing the trees and surrounding areas.
Further down by the dock, you will also find a lone Fugenzo with rich and vibrant pink blossoms. This variation in colour is a bit different from the other trees; it is also slightly smaller and just as beautiful to see.
Here are photos from these areas as seen today.
Farewell to the cherry blossoms for 2024
As I headed back up Cherry Hill and was getting ready to film my video ending, I came across the last cherry blossoms. Limited to just a few branches with intact Yoshino blossoms, these made for a wonderful backdrop for my farewell to the season. I’ve posted these photos below.
Drop me a comment on anything else
Even though the Sakura cherry blossom season is over for another year, is there anything else you want to know or see about High Park? As my time allows, I would be happy to put together more videos on other topics that may interest you all—just let me know!
But in the meantime, let me thank you all for following. I wish you all a safe spring, summer, and fall, and I hope to see you all again 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.