Wow, I forgot all those details, don't think I ever realized it has reflexed sepals, even though it says so right in our Ornamental Cherries book. Thanks for the description.
On VanDusen's Rhododendron Walk, Yama-zakura and 'Umineko' are in bloom at April 5, 2026—which doesn't bode well for Sakura Days next weekend. Yama-zakura is looking freshly bloomed with its coppery leaves and white flowers, a bloom that has a bit of the 'Tai-haku' look, were it not for the Great White's much greater flower size. Besides, Yama-zakura has red bud scales, which were inaccessible this year, as the gardeners frown on photographers trampling over the ground cover and undergrowth. In the first photo above, Yama-zakura has crowded 'Umineko' off to the far right. Here is the best we can do for 'Umineko' in the first photo below. It is just past peak bloom, as the second photo show a few flowers getting their reddening centres of age (bottom right).
I always think the gardeners could deal with that by taking photos and making them available to us. I like the 'Umineko' upturned branch tips, usually my clue to the ID. That applies to 'Snow Goose' as well. The only really distinction between the two is the wording on the labels.
This year's earlier cherry tree blooming has had consequences for this year's Sakura Days at VanDusen Garden. The 'Beni-shidare' waterfall is a pale, fading imitation of its usual starring role. Cresting above the waves are the whites of the three trees of 'Tai-haku' which will dominate the Great Lawn Cherry Grove this weekend. In full bloom at April 7, 2026.
The mid-season bloomers will be out for the Sakura Days weekend, as these two, which are starting their bloom at April 7, 2026 on the Great Lawn Cherry Grove. In the pink, are 'Yae-beni-shidare' and 'Kiku-shidare-zakura, the weeping Chrysanthemum Cherry. c At the bottom of the Great Lawn, at the end of a 'Beni-shidare' line, is the white of 'Snow Goose', which is starting to get its red eyes at April 7th, but should still be around for the April 11 Sakura Days.
On VanDusen's Autumn Stroll (next to Service Yard, Gate 6) 'Ukon' is making a spectacular green bid to be a part of this year's early April Sakura Days. Blooming now, and not yet at full bloom, with green buds, green sepals and green petals at April 7, 2026. No wishy-washy off-whites this year for VanDusen's favourite 'Ukon'.
This 'Takasago' in Shaughnessy Park (near the junction of The Crescent and Tecumseh) has hardly any neighbouring tree competition, which is why it looks so good for a 'Takasago'. Past peak bloom, as evidenced by the red centres, at April 10, 2026.
'Ukon' will have a starring role in the cherry walks and talks on VanDusen's Autumn Stroll. In spectacular bloom on the eve of Sakura Days at April 10, 2026.
'Ojochin' has started to bloom in time for Sakura Days! There are three sapling in the VanDusen's Cherry Grove, but the one at the top of VanDusen's Great Lawn is ahead with these open flowers on April 10, 2026.
The two 'Ichiyo' trees on VanDusen's Cherry Grove are in full bloom at April 16, 2026. Unfortunately, one of them must share its space with the not-so-sweet Sweet Cherry. Last shot below shows the "one leaf", i.e. the green phylloid style emerging in the centre of the blossom.
I'm happy to see that VanDusen knew to plant two of these trees. :) We don't have any 'Ichiyo' in the Magical two-tone trees | UBC Botanical Garden Forums thread. Should I copy this there, or @Anne Eng, do you think VanDusen will deal with the rootstock sucker very quickly?
The 'Royal Burgundy trees on VanDusen's Cherry Grove are in bloom at April 16, 2026. Here is the "burgundy" on leaves, stems, sepals and calyces of 'Royal Burgundy' (first two photos below) compared with the greenish leaves, stems and sepals of its nearby 'Kanzan' originator (last two photos).
'Ama-no-gawa' is reaching for the heavens and in full bloom on VanDusen's Cherry Grove at April 16, 2026. Detectable fragrance from Heaven's River!
'Cherry' Ingram who called 'Kanzan' "showy, vulgar and even obscene" for its garish combination of colours, would have something to say about the gawky, lopsided, and ungainly, three 'Ojochin' trees this year. Past full bloom, with red centres at April 16, 2026. And no bulbous buds hanging down like paper lanterns, either. Almost embarrassing to compare them with the original in Stanley Park.
On VanDusen's Autumn Stroll, the ornamental of Prunus avium, 'Plena' is in bloom at April 16, 2026. Unlike most 'Plena' in the city, VanDusen's tree has low spreading branching, making it easier to access the flowers and catch the distinguishing marker of reflexed sepals. In the first photo above, behind the 'Plena' tree, you can see the whitish blob at the bottom left, which is the 'Ukon'. The 'Ukon' bloom is starting to age, as indicated by the reddening centres.
