Yes, they're amazing. I saw a 'Shirofugen' on the Cambie Boulevard just south of King Edward that had lots of flowers - very visible as I was driving by. I tried to photograph a tree in Strathcona last week but didn't get a usable picture.
The Whitcomb in the yard at the SW corner of Fleming and E. 32 is starting its bloom, February 11, 2015.
The Accolade trees on Lanark and Dumfries Streets, between E 21 and E22, are in bloom at March 2, 2015. Six trees on Lanark, four on Dumfries.
Let's hope Wendy's nightmare about no Beni-shidares for VanDusen's Sakura Days holds off, but the Beni-shidare that owns a Kensington house in its yard at E 35 (north side, between Knight and Culloden) has started its bloom on March 2, 2015.
I'll give you "in bloom" on these, since one photo looks usable enough for the festival's Blooming Now page, but look how not in bloom the tree is in the third photo. I mentioned that in the West End blog, how there are 'Accolade' totally not in bloom next to the same cultivar totally in bloom. That will keep the group in the blooming list longer, so I guess that's a good thing.
We don't really hope that, since we added the walk that you're doing at VanDusen on March 15 at 1:30 to see those very trees. There is no way they will be in bloom for Sakura Days on April 11/12 if they're in bloom for your walk in March, for which we promised they would be in bloom.
Two Beni-shidare trees are in full bloom in Kensington neighbourhood on March 8, 2015; at west side of Commercial Drive between E. 33 and E.34; and at north side of E. 35 between Knight and Culloden. The Yae-beni-shidare at the same location on E. 35 has just opened its first blossom.
The three Somei-Yoshino trees across from Trout Lake Community Centre, on the west side of Victoria Drive, between E.16 and E.15, are in bloom at March 8, 2015.
Akebono trees are in bloom in Kensington, March 9, 2015. Along E. 22nd Avenue between Windsor and Glen. Along E. 20th, east of Knight. And the single giant on E. 12, east of Knight, west of Woodland.
The giant Yae-beni-shidare at north side E. 35 (between Culloden and Knight) is in bloom at March 13, 2015. Forming an archway to the front door of the house with its Beni-shidare companion, which is still blooming, although getting pale.
The little group of Shirotae at Queen Alexandra Elementary schoolyard park (north side of E. 10th, east of Clark) are in bloom, March 17, 2015.
The three Umineko trees in the yard of Laura Secord Elementary, north side E 10, east of Lakewood are in full bloom and getting red eyes, March 18, 2015
The three Sargent Hybrid trees on southeast corner of Templeton and E. 10, are in bloom at March 18, 2015.
E. 13, east of Clark has its Sargent Hybrids in bloom on the south side and Akebono trees finishing on the north, at March 21, 2015
The Afterglow trees along Elgin Street, from E. 26 to E. 27, are in full bloom beside Akebono companions at March 22, 2015.
The three magnificent Shirotae trees at the main entrance of Kensington Community Centre, Dumfries and E36th, are in full bloom and fragrance at March 23, 2015. In contrast, the two Ukons on the north side of the centre are just starting their bloom, as per next post.
The two Ukons on north side of Kensington Community Centre, Dumfries/E36th, are starting their bloom at March 23, 2015.
The Great White, Tai-haku, is in peak bloom at its northwest corner of Fleming and E. 39th on March 23, 2015.
Wendy may not like to hear this, but the Kanzan trees on E. 35th, between St. Catherines and Windsor, have opened their first blossoms and it's just the end of March.